Poinsettia Collins hates Christmas. Tia’s lived with that awful name for her whole life, so it was just her luck that her college girlfriend would cheat on her on Christmas Eve. Twenty years later, when Tia unexpectedly inherits a distant relative’s Christmas tree farm, she thinks fate couldn’t be laughing any harder...
Then the woman who broke her heart shows up on the farm’s doorstep with a half-frozen kitten and nowhere to go for the holidays.
Meg Bartlett’s world fell apart when her girlfriend wrongfully accused her of being unfaithful. When she comes home for Christmas after a long time away, Tia is the last person she expects to see, but maybe now she’ll get the chance to set the record straight. That is, if Tia will finally believe her. And if Tia does...how can she possibly ever win Meg back?
Best-selling author Marian Snowe brings you this sweet Christmas novella of second chances and holiday warmth.
Marian Snowe is an author of lesbian romantic fiction. She can often be found talking to trees, examining flower petals with a magnifying glass, or venturing with small steps into the frigid New England ocean. She lives with her vivacious, adventure-loving wife, Ruby Grandin, and two cats. She loves to settle down in a meadow or at her desk by a window (with a good view of the birdfeeder!) to write stories about ladies in love.
Bumping around several possible stories to read, or continue, and I realized that I really needed another Tinsel type book. So I went out of my way to find one. Which is how I ended up reading this book when I did. Now I have read four works by this author before, and, except for one of them, rather enjoyed them, so I wasn’t taking a huge risk here.
This work is about two women in their forties (I do not recall that their age was ever specifically stated, but they seemed roughly the same age, and had been college girlfriends for most of their college existence, and this is 20 years later and no indication either started college late or anything, so . . . somewhere in their 40s).
One, Tia Collins, has been drawn back to their small town (beyond being college sweethearts, they both came from the same small town) to take over the ‘family’ tree farm. I put quotes around family because, while it is the Collins tree farm, the last owner was some distant relation to Tia, not her parents or grandparents or anything like that. Not only has Tia never planned on running a tree farm, she also doesn’t particularly like being so connected to Christmas (and it is a Christmas tree farm). Because, well, Tia’s full first name is Poinsettia. Her parents are/were big on Christmas, she never was.
The other lead female character in her forties, is Meg Bartlett. Meg’s back in town to surprise her parents on Christmas. Apparently, and this wasn’t dug into too deeply, they are a little estranged from her. So she didn’t know that they weren’t going to be around. So she found an empty frozen house (it’s quite cold and the parents had left the temp inside the house quite cold).
Just like Tinsel, this story also has a cute little kitty to be saved from the cold. Which is how Meg and Tia meet again after these 20 years apart. Meg, you see, was wandering sadly around just walking after finding that her parents were gone, and came across something making sounds. From a mail box. So she looked inside. Found a half-frozen kitten. Naturally she went towards the closest warmth, which found her knocking on Tia’s door.
The two meet. Both are shocked to see the other. But they have a kitten to save, so they spend more time together than they might otherwise have spent. Whereupon they learn certain things, etc. etc.
Fun is had. A cute kitten was played with. A work was read and enjoyed.
The opening of this Christmas novella is definitely in my top 10. It sets the tone from the start, and I knew I’d laugh and be happy by the end of the story (which was kind of a given since it’s a Christmas novella but still, I like it when stories keep their promises).
Tia is not a big fan of Christmas, not only because her given name, Poinsettia, was pretty tough to carry as a child but also because the love of her life broke her heart on Christmas Eve. She has nevertheless agreed to take on her great-aunt’s cousin’s Christmas tree farm after he died. Already drowning in too much Christmas-y stuff, the last person she expects to see on her doorstep is the woman who cheated on her twenty years ago.
Thinking she could visit her parents over Christmas, Meg arrived at their home only to find out they were on a cruise. To shake her feelings of loneliness and melancholy, she goes on a walk around town and discovers a kitten in a mailbox. Which happens to be Tia’s mailbox.
Peppermint Kiss is more than a second chance romance, it’s also about deserving that second chance. The events that led to Tia’s broken heart are not as clear-cut as she thought and she realizes that she might be the one who needs to make amends. In the holiday spirit, Peppermint Kiss is all about forgiveness, towards others and towards oneself, love, trust and, that most crucial element in any relationship, communication.
As I wrote recently in another review, what I love about Christmas novellas is how they embody all that I love about the holidays, and winter: the smells, the lights, the warmth inside vs. the cold outside. Heartwarming is the best word for them, and when they’re done well, as Peppermint Kiss is, it’s almost physically true.
A terrible misunderstanding, a tree farm, a kitten and a ghost of Christmas past. If you enjoy second chance romances in a Christmas atmosphere, then you will love Peppermint Kiss.
“Peppermint Kiss” is a sweet second-chance story with lots of humor and enjoyable narration.
This is the first book I’ve listened to narrated by Leanne Woodward, and I look forward to more audiobooks by her. She delivers a good performance, but it sounded like she may have been battling a cold….mildly distracting, as I made a note to mention. Also, she varies more than usual with sometimes being highly enthusiastic, and sometimes just reading the material aloud.
We open with MC Meg knocking on her parents door for the first time in two years. When there’s no answer, she arrives at the only logical conclusion: they may have been attacked by giant sandworms like in the movie “Tremors”! Hahahahaha
So, breaking into the house by a window, she meets the crabby neighbor who tells her her parents are on a Christmas cruise in Florida, and Meg can now look after the house….broken window and all. Great. No acting work, no girlfriend, and now house-sitting. So, she goes for a walk, and discovers a kitten in the streetside mailbox of a farmhouse.
Knocking on the door, she finds MC Poinsetta (Tia), who nearly slams the door on Meg - the ex who cheated on her at Christmas 20 years ago, ruining Christmas and poisoning other relationships for Tia with resultant trust issues.
Only….Meg hadn’t cheated, and Tia hadn’t given Meg the benefit of the doubt and discussed the accusation with her. Finally, Tia discovers the truth and tries to make amends.
The antics of the once-lovers, now somethings, was very cute, but their actions and inner thinkings seemed much more appropriate for 24yo’s, not the 38yo’s there are.
Shopping for Christmas decor and ice skating leads to hand holding, a kiss, and a fade-to-black as they get ready for action.
So, cute story reconciling a two-decades old rift between to likable women who finally begin to communicate. 4*
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
My rating and my review was not in anyway affected by my having been provided a review copy.
Love Renewed Poor Poinsettia is not only saddled with that name but she hates Christmas as well. Of course she has inherited a Christmas tree farm. When a woman from her past shows up on her doorstep with a half frozen kitten and neither of them have a place to stay, Tia can’t say no. Meg had her heart broken years ago when Tia broke things off, wrongly convinced Meg had cheated on her. Unexpectedly in town for the holiday, she finds out that her parents, whom she had intended to stay, are gone on holiday. While on a walk, she finds a tiny kitten in a mailbox. She goes up to the door of the house she is shocked to find her one true love, Tia. Tia and Meg reconnect over the kitten and soon find old feelings returning.
This is a lovely book about second chances. Meg is so wonderful and lovely. She truly got the wrong end of the stick. She was hurt and betrayed and then tossed aside like trash. Tia was also hurt but the choices she made caused so much more pain than was necessary. When she is given this second chance to make things right she does her best to make up for everything. This is a sweet, tender and gentle story. It’s a lovely way to spend an afternoon cuddled up under the blankets with a cup of cocoa. If you love mushy tales that make you feel then this is the perfect book for you!!
This was a sweet second chance novella with a Christmas theme. It's a story full of hope and possibilities. It's a story about righting a wrong and correcting a major mistake. It's a story about forgiveness. An enjoyable holiday romance with a HEA. I've never read this author's work before but I'll have to look for some more.
If you love someone you need to listen to them. Tia didn’t a lost out on spending 20yrs with her true love. Thankfully Meg and Tia realized what they had and want to try again. Spruce the cat is adorable 😍
3.5 srars.Peppermint Kiss is a sugary-sweet story involving a second second chance romance, and it's a nice start to my lesbian Christmas romance season. 💖⛄
I bestow on this novella the vaunted title of "okayest lesbian Christmas romance" that I have read. And admittedly, there's not a ton of competition, but that's only because I've DNF'd so many just based on terrible sample chapters. Trust me, for every one I've actually read, there are probably ten I "noped" out of after 20 pages. And that's even considering that my standards for this genre are pretty low. I mean, I gave Holiday Wolf Pack and All I Want for Christmas three stars each, and I wouldn't recommend those to anybody. But the writing in this one was measurably better than those, I feel, so a semi-reluctant four stars it is. If someone asked me if I'd read any good gay holiday romances, I would tentatively mention this one, albeit maybe with some caveats.
Compliments: 1) The writing here was what made me read it. It's lighthearted and fairly zippy, and there are some funny turns of phrase. It's not a hard read. 2) The story has a prominently featured kitten, which is always appreciated. 3) The romance wasn't unbearably schmaltzy, which is often a danger in holiday romances. 4) The characters had distinct personalities from one another, which isn't always a given. Tia's dislike of Christmas was believable without being over-the-top. They were pretty consistent in their thoughts and actions. At this point, that's about all I can ask for.
Criticisms: 1) These characters didn't seem like they were 40? I mean, by the book's own definition, they had to be, but I would have guessed late twenties or maybe early thirties if it hadn't said anything on the subject. 2) I love second-chance romances, especially if it's a short story or novella, because you can kind of imply a lot of feelings and prior knowledge between two characters and there can be intimacy and drama just from that. But twenty years???! I'm supposed to believe that they're still 100% hung up on each other after twenty years?! To the point where they remember inside jokes and rattle off each others' breakfast orders on autopilot? And they're both still actively furious about the breakup? From when they were in college twenty years ago?! Come on. Move on, guys. 3) I feel like their 20-years-past breakup was pretty dumb. Like, could-have-been-resolved-with-a-one-minute-conversation dumb. Especially following on the heels of a serious 4-year relationship. They kind of admit as much in the story, but I'm not sure that actually makes it okay. And it's hard to believe they both never got over it. 4) From what I recall, at no point in the story is either character's physical appearance ever described in any meaningful way. We occasionally hear about their clothing, and I think one of them has wavy hair, but that's literally all we get. I didn't personally find it that overly distracting, but it was kind of weird. I almost have to assume it was intentional, but I honestly don't know.
Anyway, overall, it was a cute one-sitting read and more or less satisfied my desire for a holiday romance. It's short, but pretty well paced and balanced. Again, I liked the writing. I'd maybe consider reading something else by the author. If you happened to be looking for a lesbian Christmas romance, you could sure do a lot worse.
I loved this story! I loved the intense chemistry between Meg and Tia. Revealing a truth which kept them apart for twenty years was the glue to this story. It was the perfect setting, a tree farm and the joy of Christmas to be remembered. Marian Snowe does it again.
This book started with a hilarious opening and sent me to cinammony-sweet nostalgia in no time at all. I chuckled and got tearey-eyed in equal amounts throughout this lovely novella.
We start with Tia, who hates everything about Christmas (with good reason), then switch to Meg who suffers an unfortunate homecoming and ends up saddled with a rescue kitten. Meg and Tia meet for the first time in twenty years after a painful breakup that left them unable to have another successful relationship.
They have some lovely moments that really bring out the Christmas feeling along with some less-pleasant talks as they finally communicate about the incident that ripped their relationship in two. Throughout are sweet moments, sexual tension,and some genuinely funny scenes that had me smiling.
The prose is polished and very easy to read. I just glided through this book. The conflict is real and I thought the resolution was realistic in the fact that it’s not an immediate thing. I was so mad at a certain character!! I was cheering for Tia and Meg from the start. The ending is a bit abrupt, but the main issues are solved.
If you’re looking for a sweet, cute, Christmassy story about second chances, luck, and fate, then this is for you!
My rating: 4.75 stars
ARC received from the author, and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Just as the title suggests, it is a perfect refreshment after a series of mono thematic books. Meg and Tia used to be a perfect couple. Unfortunately, an evil rumor ruined everything and they were divided forever. Twenty years after that, they bumped into each other just before Christmas. Both seem to be at a turn in their lives, and this sudden encounter does not match their visions of the future. The struggle begins.
However, it is Christmas time and everything happens unexpectedly. It is a real pleasure to read how everyday activities and objects play a huge role in changing the fate. Another story that proves how Christmas magic works.
I would recommend it as ideal reading, not only at Christmas. It is always worth refreshing the faith in this period of the year.
Short novella and everything that goes with that- good basis of a story that could have been longer - very one dimensional with, as expected, Brick wall ending, but that is the nature of the beast. 10% of the kindle edition adverts so ending quicker than expected.
a quick, mildly stressful, more light-hearted second-chance sapphic romance set during the holiday season! i enjoyed it enough, but it's not a new favorite, nor is it particularly memorable. the conflict was terribly convoluted, and the miscommunication trope was HEAVY. i don't mind that trope usually, but it was too forced in this one, especially considering they haven't seen each other in twenty years, like bruh. 😭😭 but i love the holiday festivities, which is quite a good number for such a short book. not steamy, if you're looking for that, but still a cute read.
Rekindled romance after 20 years of hurt and distrust, is it possible. Meg and Tia once a loving couple, which lies tore apart, apparently would welcome the romance to reignite between them. A sweet, heartwarming story that celebrates the holiday season. Well worth reading. The author did a great job writing this book while keeping the storyline and main characters true throughout the book.
Christmas trees and a kitten. Hot cocoa and a secret recipe. Snow and a broken window. And of course mistletoe. These offer a perfect setting to second chances for broken hearts. Twenty years after a devastating breakup college sweethearts are brought together to save a kitten and discover the truth that tore them apart and the love that still haunts them. And don’t forget a teeny tiny kitten.
Tia and Meg haven’t seen each other for years. Fate steps in as a tiny kitten and gives them a chance to repair what was broken. This is a wonderful short story, that will make you smile and say “Awwwweee” at least once or twice. I really enjoyed this quick, feel good read!
A warm and fuzzy Christmas romance what's not to like ,a lie and a miss understanding leads to a breakup for Tia and Meg only to be rekindled 20 yrs later with the help of an abandoned kitten
Even though the book was not very long, there was a great depth to the characters. I found them likeable. I was rooting for them to be able to deal with and move past the misunderstanding that tore them apart.
A delightful love refound story. Though the premise of the lovers' original breakup is implausible, the detailed description of their reunion (after 20 years!) Is clever and well plotted.
I thought this book was sweet, but definitely one-dimensional. Felt it ended right when the relationship picked up and I wish we could have seen them together more. The ending didn’t feel like the end.