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Christmas In Mistletoe
What if you hate Christmas, but get stranded in Mistletoe?
Fran Bell is a music exec who's welded to her career. Even when her parents move to a sleepy village called Mistletoe, she still vows to work through Christmas. When she tells the locals, their shock is palpable.
One particular local stands out. Ruby O'Connell, a dazzling singer, and the last person Fran expects to find as her parents' neighbour. They've crossed paths before in London. It wasn't pretty.
When they're thrown together to organise a Christmas festival, their relationship starts to thaw. But when old tensions boil up, can Fran and Ruby make the Mistletoe magic stick?
Best-selling author Clare Lydon brings you a festive story to pep up your year, set in a twinkly village with a cast of laugh-out-loud characters. If you love Hallmark Christmas movies but have been longing for one with two female leads, it's time to get swept up in this Christmas cracker of a romance!
Fran Bell is a music exec who's welded to her career. Even when her parents move to a sleepy village called Mistletoe, she still vows to work through Christmas. When she tells the locals, their shock is palpable.
One particular local stands out. Ruby O'Connell, a dazzling singer, and the last person Fran expects to find as her parents' neighbour. They've crossed paths before in London. It wasn't pretty.
When they're thrown together to organise a Christmas festival, their relationship starts to thaw. But when old tensions boil up, can Fran and Ruby make the Mistletoe magic stick?
Best-selling author Clare Lydon brings you a festive story to pep up your year, set in a twinkly village with a cast of laugh-out-loud characters. If you love Hallmark Christmas movies but have been longing for one with two female leads, it's time to get swept up in this Christmas cracker of a romance!
306 pages, Paperback
First published November 18, 2020
194 people are currently reading
2013 people want to read
About the author
Clare Lydon
43 books1,579 followersClare Lydon is a London-based writer of contemporary lesbian romance. She's a No.1 best-seller on lesbian fiction charts around the globe with five full-length novels to her name, as well as writing the All I Want series, set to continue throughout 2016. If you love romantic comedies, prepare to fall head over heels in love.
If you like books shot through with witty dialogue, 3D characters and sharp observations of modern lesbian life, why not give Clare's books a try?
More at: www.clarelydon.co.uk
Get a copy of my free Christmas novella 'It Had To Be You' by signing up to my mailing list here:
www.clarelydon.co.uk/it-had-to-be-you
If you like books shot through with witty dialogue, 3D characters and sharp observations of modern lesbian life, why not give Clare's books a try?
More at: www.clarelydon.co.uk
Get a copy of my free Christmas novella 'It Had To Be You' by signing up to my mailing list here:
www.clarelydon.co.uk/it-had-to-be-you
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews
January 1, 2021
Edit to add: Also, how did I write this without remarking on how much I love this cover?!? Seriously, perfect for communicating the tone plus gorgeous.
This was a very cute Christmas story that leans into the "Lesbian Hallmark" theme. I loved it more than a little, though not without caveat. I finished nearly a week ago and I'm sorry I put off the review so long because I know I've lost details.
Fran and Ruby start off with misreading each other and making assumptions based on career stereotypes and bad experiences in the past. I liked this dynamic initially, though it meant that both had essentially negative motivations* for their relationship for quite a bit of the first half of the story. That didn't hurt as badly as it could have because it let them get to know each other and develop a friendship as they shared the magic of the setting.
And I liked the setting, even if I have a hard time taking it seriously. Like, at all. I'd like to say that I believe such a place could conceivably exist, but I'd be lying. I mean, it's in the realm of the possible, in the sense that the world is a big place and my experience with it is necessarily limited and all. But I don't actually buy it in its entirety. Still, I loved the families at the heart of the story, and I loved the setting, even if I had to put it in the "aspirational" part of my brain to go there.
The dark moment dragged it down, though, and I thought it went on a little longer than I like. So this is a solid four stars for a good story with likeable characters and setting. It definitely benefits from the seasonal read so I regret that I'm getting this review out after the holidays are pretty much over. Maybe save it for next year? But if you're in the mood for a great Hallmark romance with an lgbt flavor, this is sure to hit the spot.
A note about Steamy: I forget how many explicit sex scenes there were, but not many. Two or three, so edging into the middle of my steam tolerance. I think?
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
This was a very cute Christmas story that leans into the "Lesbian Hallmark" theme. I loved it more than a little, though not without caveat. I finished nearly a week ago and I'm sorry I put off the review so long because I know I've lost details.
Fran and Ruby start off with misreading each other and making assumptions based on career stereotypes and bad experiences in the past. I liked this dynamic initially, though it meant that both had essentially negative motivations* for their relationship for quite a bit of the first half of the story. That didn't hurt as badly as it could have because it let them get to know each other and develop a friendship as they shared the magic of the setting.
And I liked the setting, even if I have a hard time taking it seriously. Like, at all. I'd like to say that I believe such a place could conceivably exist, but I'd be lying. I mean, it's in the realm of the possible, in the sense that the world is a big place and my experience with it is necessarily limited and all. But I don't actually buy it in its entirety. Still, I loved the families at the heart of the story, and I loved the setting, even if I had to put it in the "aspirational" part of my brain to go there.
The dark moment dragged it down, though, and I thought it went on a little longer than I like. So this is a solid four stars for a good story with likeable characters and setting. It definitely benefits from the seasonal read so I regret that I'm getting this review out after the holidays are pretty much over. Maybe save it for next year? But if you're in the mood for a great Hallmark romance with an lgbt flavor, this is sure to hit the spot.
A note about Steamy: I forget how many explicit sex scenes there were, but not many. Two or three, so edging into the middle of my steam tolerance. I think?
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
December 2, 2020
2.75 Stars
I’ve decided to read as many holiday books as I can until the new year. ‘Christmas in Mistletoe’ by Clare Lydon is number two. While I usually like Lydon’s work, this one didn’t hit the spot for me. I know I’m in the minority here and that’s okay.
Fran is a music executive looking to sign new talent and Ruby happens to be the artist she’s hoping to sign. The first maybe third was great and met with my expectations. I liked the back and forth between the two and found them both to be charming. However, it soon starting going downhill and by the end I had to force myself to finish it.
This is told in third person and alternates between Ruby and Fran but I never really got the emotional depth I was looking for from either one, especially Ruby. Everything including the conflict seemed very superficial and just on the surface. I get why Fran had doubts with dating another singer but Ruby’s issues with the “music exec” never made a whole lot of sense to me. I also didn’t like how her personality seems to do a 180 somewhere in the middle. In the beginning she seemed very confident and seemed to know what she wanted. But her insecurities, jealousy, and mistrust of Fran took away most of my enjoyment for them as a couple.
This is filled with fun family/community dynamics and lots of Christmas cheer and festive shenanigans. I think others will enjoy it far more than I did, it was just missing the extra oomph for me.
I’ve decided to read as many holiday books as I can until the new year. ‘Christmas in Mistletoe’ by Clare Lydon is number two. While I usually like Lydon’s work, this one didn’t hit the spot for me. I know I’m in the minority here and that’s okay.
Fran is a music executive looking to sign new talent and Ruby happens to be the artist she’s hoping to sign. The first maybe third was great and met with my expectations. I liked the back and forth between the two and found them both to be charming. However, it soon starting going downhill and by the end I had to force myself to finish it.
This is told in third person and alternates between Ruby and Fran but I never really got the emotional depth I was looking for from either one, especially Ruby. Everything including the conflict seemed very superficial and just on the surface. I get why Fran had doubts with dating another singer but Ruby’s issues with the “music exec” never made a whole lot of sense to me. I also didn’t like how her personality seems to do a 180 somewhere in the middle. In the beginning she seemed very confident and seemed to know what she wanted. But her insecurities, jealousy, and mistrust of Fran took away most of my enjoyment for them as a couple.
This is filled with fun family/community dynamics and lots of Christmas cheer and festive shenanigans. I think others will enjoy it far more than I did, it was just missing the extra oomph for me.
December 1, 2020
3.5 * – I love the idea of Christmas tree farms, so I won’t complain that this is my second Christmas romance this year, with 'Tis the Season: A Farm to Table Christmas Novella by Luci Dreamer, set in one. They’re two very different stories, however.
Fran Bell loves music and her job in the music industry. She wants the best for the artists she works with and will do everything she can for them, including sacrificing whatever time she could spend with her family. She adores her parents – two gay men – but doesn’t share their love of Christmas. To her, “Christmas is just another roast dinner”. Try saying that to the locals of Mistletoe, where Fran’s parents just moved! Not only is everyone in Mistletoe very much into Christmas, but as luck would have it, Fran’s parents’ neighbours own the local Christmas tree farm and are Ruby O’Connell’s family. Ruby, the outrageously talented – and gorgeous – folk singer who rejected Fran’s offer to sign her on the label she works for.
The characters are the best part of Christmas in Mistletoe. Ruby is tall and beautiful and talented, both as a singer and with a chainsaw, but she’s terribly insecure. Fran is driven but also kind and she adores her parents. She’s sexy and sometimes shy. Fran has been burnt by a singer before yet she’s willing to take all sorts of risks for Ruby. She’s very patient with her trust issues, which is the part that was a bit much for me. Ruby made me want to go all #NotAllMusicExecs on her. The singer/music exec conflict felt slightly far-fetched. While you can always count on Clare Lydon to write good romance and make the story smell like Christmas trees and hot chocolate, Christmas in Mistletoe reads a little as if she was going through the motions, not entirely feeling them. Or maybe it’s me. Or it’s 2020. I loved the atmosphere but didn’t entirely buy the conflict. I did, however, buy the chemistry and the falling in love and the wonderful families and the Christmas tree competition (Victoria deserves to win) and all the quirky and adorable secondary characters.
ARC provided by the author to www.lezreviewbooks.com in exchange for an honest review.
Fran Bell loves music and her job in the music industry. She wants the best for the artists she works with and will do everything she can for them, including sacrificing whatever time she could spend with her family. She adores her parents – two gay men – but doesn’t share their love of Christmas. To her, “Christmas is just another roast dinner”. Try saying that to the locals of Mistletoe, where Fran’s parents just moved! Not only is everyone in Mistletoe very much into Christmas, but as luck would have it, Fran’s parents’ neighbours own the local Christmas tree farm and are Ruby O’Connell’s family. Ruby, the outrageously talented – and gorgeous – folk singer who rejected Fran’s offer to sign her on the label she works for.
The characters are the best part of Christmas in Mistletoe. Ruby is tall and beautiful and talented, both as a singer and with a chainsaw, but she’s terribly insecure. Fran is driven but also kind and she adores her parents. She’s sexy and sometimes shy. Fran has been burnt by a singer before yet she’s willing to take all sorts of risks for Ruby. She’s very patient with her trust issues, which is the part that was a bit much for me. Ruby made me want to go all #NotAllMusicExecs on her. The singer/music exec conflict felt slightly far-fetched. While you can always count on Clare Lydon to write good romance and make the story smell like Christmas trees and hot chocolate, Christmas in Mistletoe reads a little as if she was going through the motions, not entirely feeling them. Or maybe it’s me. Or it’s 2020. I loved the atmosphere but didn’t entirely buy the conflict. I did, however, buy the chemistry and the falling in love and the wonderful families and the Christmas tree competition (Victoria deserves to win) and all the quirky and adorable secondary characters.
ARC provided by the author to www.lezreviewbooks.com in exchange for an honest review.
December 20, 2024
ظهر این کتابو شروع کردم و الان تمومش کردم. در حال مرتب کردن و تغییر دکوراسیون کتابخونم و کلا تمیز کردن خونه به آدیوبوکش گوش دادم و از آرامش بخشترین کارای ممکن بود. توی ۳ ۴ ماه اخیر این اولین روزی بود که کل روزم با اضطراب نگذشت.
امسال اولین سالیه که از ته دلم توی نود کریسمسم و دلم کتابای کریسمسی میخواد پس ماراتون خوندن کتابای رمنس کریسمسی دارم (آره فقط با خودم) و از لذت بخشترین کاراییه که این مدت کردم. با وجود اینکه خیلی کار دارم و در روز خیلی کم وقت دارم.
این کتاب حس کریسمسهای Stars Hollow رو داشت. لورلای گیلمور عاشق این شهر کوچک میشد. قشنگترین وایبای سریال Gilmore Girl رو داشت و در کنارش Sapphic هم بود. یه شهر کوچک که همهی مردمش همو میشناسن و مثل یه خانوادن، یه بار و یه کافه که همه توشن، صنعت فروختن درختای کریسمس. شیرینی پزی دائمی مامان یکی از شخصیتاها...وای. حتی حرف زدن ازشم باعث میشه لبخند بزنم. اینقدر عاشق شهرشون بودم خیلی وقتا اصلا برام مهم نبود که رابطهی شخصیتای اصلی چی میشه و فقط میخواستم بیشتر توی اون شهر باشم.
هرچند رابطهی فرن و روبی هم واقعا سوییت و قشنگ بود و همدیگه رو آدمای بهتری میکردن و به همدیگه خیلی قدرت میدادن.
چقدر تجربهی قشنگی بود.
امسال اولین سالیه که از ته دلم توی نود کریسمسم و دلم کتابای کریسمسی میخواد پس ماراتون خوندن کتابای رمنس کریسمسی دارم (آره فقط با خودم) و از لذت بخشترین کاراییه که این مدت کردم. با وجود اینکه خیلی کار دارم و در روز خیلی کم وقت دارم.
این کتاب حس کریسمسهای Stars Hollow رو داشت. لورلای گیلمور عاشق این شهر کوچک میشد. قشنگترین وایبای سریال Gilmore Girl رو داشت و در کنارش Sapphic هم بود. یه شهر کوچک که همهی مردمش همو میشناسن و مثل یه خانوادن، یه بار و یه کافه که همه توشن، صنعت فروختن درختای کریسمس. شیرینی پزی دائمی مامان یکی از شخصیتاها...وای. حتی حرف زدن ازشم باعث میشه لبخند بزنم. اینقدر عاشق شهرشون بودم خیلی وقتا اصلا برام مهم نبود که رابطهی شخصیتای اصلی چی میشه و فقط میخواستم بیشتر توی اون شهر باشم.
هرچند رابطهی فرن و روبی هم واقعا سوییت و قشنگ بود و همدیگه رو آدمای بهتری میکردن و به همدیگه خیلی قدرت میدادن.
چقدر تجربهی قشنگی بود.
December 24, 2021
This was cute! 3.5 stars. Finished it just in time for Xmas Eve. I had grand plans of reading a bunch of holiday romances this month, but mostly it’s just been this one and some that sort of mention Christmas. This was a sweet and fun romance with likable leads and interesting side characters. I’ve like pretty much everything from this author I’ve read so far. It def won’t be my last. And I’ve got to say, I love that this author consistently has artwork on the covers of her books. I cannot overstate enough how much I hate the prevalent weird stick photo covers that are all over the majority of sapphic romance books. These are always such a lovely change from that.
December 5, 2021
3.8 stars
Nice Christmas read, uncomplicated story with just a little bit of angst
Nice Christmas read, uncomplicated story with just a little bit of angst
November 20, 2022
4 Stars for Christmas in Mistletoe (audiobook) by Clare Lydon read by Claire Storey.
This was a fun Christmas story set in the music industry. Rising stars meets music promoter in a small town.
This was a fun Christmas story set in the music industry. Rising stars meets music promoter in a small town.
November 26, 2020
Well, Thank You! You, no I, love an uncomplicated love story, with a Christmas story that makes sing "last Christmas" with glee around the house. Clare is masterful in this gene and this is a Christmas treat I'm sure to re-read. Class.
December 20, 2020
A really nice Christmas novel.
Fran is a music exec who has her eyes set on signing on a talented singer, Ruby. But Ruby doesn’t trust labels and managers like Fran. Neither is she the ambitious sort of artiste. Four months later, the two women meet unexpectedly in a little village called Mistletoe where Ruby’s family has lived for 20 years and owns a Christmas tree farm and Fran’s dads are the new gay neighbours. Fran and Ruby start out on the wrong foot because they can’t see eye-to-eye, particularly on Ruby’s career choices and Fran’s determination to work through Christmas. This tension follows through with them even after they get together. It’s probably a work hazard thing for Fran, but I found myself mildly put off by her need to slip in a casual remark or two half the time about how much more Ruby can do with her singing, even if she caveats it as an innocent compliment. There are also some elements of jealousy in the relationship on Ruby’s part which I secretly enjoyed, simply because a little bit of jealousy spices up relationships in novels.
But well, its a Christmas romance novel, so of course they get over themselves and sort it out eventually.
This book is fun and romantic, with a little angst and jealousy here and there. That makes it a very nice Christmas romance novel and I enjoyed every bit of it – including a spontaneous love scene that Clare Lydon wrote so well without being overly descriptive.
Fran is a music exec who has her eyes set on signing on a talented singer, Ruby. But Ruby doesn’t trust labels and managers like Fran. Neither is she the ambitious sort of artiste. Four months later, the two women meet unexpectedly in a little village called Mistletoe where Ruby’s family has lived for 20 years and owns a Christmas tree farm and Fran’s dads are the new gay neighbours. Fran and Ruby start out on the wrong foot because they can’t see eye-to-eye, particularly on Ruby’s career choices and Fran’s determination to work through Christmas. This tension follows through with them even after they get together. It’s probably a work hazard thing for Fran, but I found myself mildly put off by her need to slip in a casual remark or two half the time about how much more Ruby can do with her singing, even if she caveats it as an innocent compliment. There are also some elements of jealousy in the relationship on Ruby’s part which I secretly enjoyed, simply because a little bit of jealousy spices up relationships in novels.
But well, its a Christmas romance novel, so of course they get over themselves and sort it out eventually.
This book is fun and romantic, with a little angst and jealousy here and there. That makes it a very nice Christmas romance novel and I enjoyed every bit of it – including a spontaneous love scene that Clare Lydon wrote so well without being overly descriptive.
November 11, 2022
4/10
dnf @50% (maybe more - i forgot)
clear up the books that i've been having in my currently reading shelf for literally a year initiative
usually i'd give dnfs 0/10 for obvious reasons but somehow i feel bad about it now. because i actually really enjoyed this one up until 1/3 of it. then i just lost the interest because it got a bit boring, took a break thinking i'll be in the mood to finish it and here we are. tomorrow will be exactly a year since i stared reading it.
it was cute - fran and ruby were cute. and annoying if i'm gonna be honest. that's maybe the biggest reason i gave up on it. and it wasn't an interesting slowburn like i expected i guess.
dnf @50% (maybe more - i forgot)
clear up the books that i've been having in my currently reading shelf for literally a year initiative
usually i'd give dnfs 0/10 for obvious reasons but somehow i feel bad about it now. because i actually really enjoyed this one up until 1/3 of it. then i just lost the interest because it got a bit boring, took a break thinking i'll be in the mood to finish it and here we are. tomorrow will be exactly a year since i stared reading it.
it was cute - fran and ruby were cute. and annoying if i'm gonna be honest. that's maybe the biggest reason i gave up on it. and it wasn't an interesting slowburn like i expected i guess.
December 18, 2022
3.5 - A sweet and fairly low angst romance with a super cozy and Christmassy vibe. I liked both MCs and appreciated how open and communicative they were with one another.
While I appreciate it being lower angst, I definitely missed some tension that would have made it a 4 - 4.5 for me, but I would definitely recommend it for a sweet and steamy Christmas romance read. The audio version was really well done as well, definitely worth a listen.
While I appreciate it being lower angst, I definitely missed some tension that would have made it a 4 - 4.5 for me, but I would definitely recommend it for a sweet and steamy Christmas romance read. The audio version was really well done as well, definitely worth a listen.
December 21, 2025
De meisjes zijn een beetje zwaar op de hand en het verhaal had de helft korter gekund, maar dit was zowaar een leuk kerstverhaaltje met de juiste vibes. Chai latte en een fleece dekentje erbij, Last Christmas van Wham! op repeat en ik ben klaar voor de kerstvakantie.
December 17, 2021
Christmas in Mistletoe was exactly what I expected - a Hallmark movie in book form.
It was sweet and funny and genuinely heartwarming with my all time fav enemies to lovers trope.
Fran was an absolute delight, and I adored her dads so, so much. I want to go stay with them in Mistletoe!
Ruby, I struggled with. I think maybe I could have understood where she was coming from if her past had been explored a little more in depth, but her jealousy and doubt of Fran’s intentions bothered me more as the book went on. It felt like a constant one step forward, two steps back, with barely any context to make me sympathise.
That being said, I did enjoy this read, and I loved the development of Fran and Ruby’s relationship.
It was sweet and funny and genuinely heartwarming with my all time fav enemies to lovers trope.
Fran was an absolute delight, and I adored her dads so, so much. I want to go stay with them in Mistletoe!
Ruby, I struggled with. I think maybe I could have understood where she was coming from if her past had been explored a little more in depth, but her jealousy and doubt of Fran’s intentions bothered me more as the book went on. It felt like a constant one step forward, two steps back, with barely any context to make me sympathise.
That being said, I did enjoy this read, and I loved the development of Fran and Ruby’s relationship.
December 17, 2022
Christmas in a book! Clare has written a wonderful love filled book. Fran and Ruby are so cute together, even though Ruby didn't trust Fran in the beginning. But the magic of Mistletoe takes over. The secondary characters are wonderful! There is humor and hot sex which makes a great combination in a book! Definitely worth 5 stars!
December 19, 2020
Once the ice thawed, things happened really fast.... insta-love, insta-lust all rolled into one.
3.5 ⭐️ In the mood of giving (its X’Mas 🎄afterall) so rounding it up to 4. AND since I’ve liked most, if not all of Clare Lydon’s writing, rounding this up to 4 makes it a lot easier!! 🙂
3.5 ⭐️ In the mood of giving (its X’Mas 🎄afterall) so rounding it up to 4. AND since I’ve liked most, if not all of Clare Lydon’s writing, rounding this up to 4 makes it a lot easier!! 🙂
December 24, 2021
Lesbians ✅
Cliché small town (named mistletoe) ✅
Snowball fight ✅
City girl and small town girl ✅
One that is obsessed with Christmas and the other that doesn’t like Christmas ✅
It was such a cute and fun read!
And it has spice.
Cliché small town (named mistletoe) ✅
Snowball fight ✅
City girl and small town girl ✅
One that is obsessed with Christmas and the other that doesn’t like Christmas ✅
It was such a cute and fun read!
And it has spice.
November 29, 2023
I really enjoyed this audiobook Claire really brings it alive, I enjoyed the storyline, the connection between Fran and Ruby was strong and it was clear that they liked each other even when they didn't know it themselves.
It's a great Christmas romance with lots of ups and a few downs with a lot of laugh-out-loud humour mixed in, it's Christmassy and cute and I definitely recommend reading/ listening to it if you want a nice easy read/listen.
Story rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating. 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Narrating Rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It's a great Christmas romance with lots of ups and a few downs with a lot of laugh-out-loud humour mixed in, it's Christmassy and cute and I definitely recommend reading/ listening to it if you want a nice easy read/listen.
Story rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating. 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Narrating Rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 3, 2024
3.5
słodkie a świąteczny klimat był cudowny
słodkie a świąteczny klimat był cudowny
December 13, 2024
what happens if you hate christmas but end up in a village named after it? fran bell is a career-driven music executive who plans to work through christmas despite her parents' move to the festive village of mistletoe. the catch? fran's new neighbour is ruby o'connell, the very same woman fran has history with.
as they are asked to help organise the village christmas festival, sparks fly thanks to a wit and shared vulnerabilities. clare lydon balances humour and heart, offering a light, satisfying story that’s equal parts festive fluff (think hallmark) and emotional depth. the secondary characters, from quirky villagers to fran’s bemused parents, add warmth and hilarity to the mix. with this, christmas in mistletoe is a cosy read that delivers exactly what it promises: festive cheer, romantic tension, and the magic of reconciliation. i adored this.
as they are asked to help organise the village christmas festival, sparks fly thanks to a wit and shared vulnerabilities. clare lydon balances humour and heart, offering a light, satisfying story that’s equal parts festive fluff (think hallmark) and emotional depth. the secondary characters, from quirky villagers to fran’s bemused parents, add warmth and hilarity to the mix. with this, christmas in mistletoe is a cosy read that delivers exactly what it promises: festive cheer, romantic tension, and the magic of reconciliation. i adored this.
November 30, 2020
It was a good holliday read. At the beginning I liked their dynamic, but then insecure Ruby wasn’t so much fun. I liked her as a confident “I know who I am and what I want” woman and I would have like to see her that way till the end, that’s why it’s a 4.5 and not a 5, because I coudn't understand the change. The author gave us her reasons, but I still didn't feel it.
Their playfulness once they liked each other, and that snowperson where great. The community and family dynamics where the stuff I enjoyed most.
Their playfulness once they liked each other, and that snowperson where great. The community and family dynamics where the stuff I enjoyed most.
December 29, 2020
Apparently, Clare Lydon really loves Christmas. As in, really, REALLY loves Christmas, because this might just be THE most Christmassy Christmas-themed romance I've ever read. Prepare for heaps of mistletoe, entire forests of Christmas trees, loads of snow and presents and mulled wine - it's sappy, Hallmark movie style OTT kitsch which I might have enjoyed more in a more cheerful year. Still, it was a fun read, even though I really wish people would stop shoving unnecessary drama bits into every romance.
February 1, 2021
The magic of mistletoe
This story is all about the Christmas spirit of a small town. It has all the wonderful feel good moments as well a a bit of angst. Ruby and Fran are both strong minded and butt heads at first. The family and friends in Mistletoe are a great supporting cast. I really enjoyed this book.
This story is all about the Christmas spirit of a small town. It has all the wonderful feel good moments as well a a bit of angst. Ruby and Fran are both strong minded and butt heads at first. The family and friends in Mistletoe are a great supporting cast. I really enjoyed this book.
July 30, 2025
3.5-4 stars
good one time festive read.
good one time festive read.
December 4, 2025
This was an adorably cute small town romance worthy of a Hallmark movie! A town called Mistletoe? Could you get anymore Christmas! This is an enemies to lovers but they make friends in between 😂 highly recommend if you’re looking for more sapphic romances for your Christmas read!
This book is written in third person with 2x POV’s. Narrated by Claire Storey. Return to Hometown, Enemies to Lovers, Small Town, Slow Burn. 2x Spicy Scenes.
This book is written in third person with 2x POV’s. Narrated by Claire Storey. Return to Hometown, Enemies to Lovers, Small Town, Slow Burn. 2x Spicy Scenes.
November 25, 2025
Loved this sapphic tale of an indie folk singer and a music industry exec finding love in an idyllic country village - on a Chrlstmas Tree Farm at Christmas time, no less! A wonderful, sweet and sexy holiday read.
❤️❤️❤️🔥🔥🔥
❤️❤️❤️🔥🔥🔥
December 2, 2020
Festive Cuteness!!!
Ruby is an amazing singer but when Fran, a music executive approaches her after a low-key gig, Ruby refuses any offer she makes to sign her to a label based on past experience. When Ruby heads home to Mistletoe to see her family ahead of Christmas, the last person she expects to see is Fran. When it becomes apparent that Ruby is going to have to endure Fran’s presence throughout Christmas, the two of them finding themselves bonding over mutual appreciation for music, but when the past threatens to cause tension between them, Fran wonders if the magical Christmas atmosphere of Mistletoe will help her win Ruby’s trust and heart.
This was so cute!!! Clare is the queen of the festive romance, and Christmas in Mistletoe definitely ticked every box for giving you the festive feels. The cheeky humour, cute fluffy romantic moments, and drama mean Clare has once again delivered a hit romance that I thoroughly enjoyed and couldn’t get enough of. The whole story just made my heart happy, put a big smile on my face, and set the festive mood nicely.
Ruby was the ultimate girl next door, shy and unaware of just how amazingly talented she was. I completely understood her hesitance and worries about signing with a record label, and was proud of her for not being drawn in by Fran on the basis of promises of success. When Fran came to Mistletoe and we really got to see her character, my heart started warming to her. She was genuinely lovely and even with everything that happened, you could tell she always had Ruby’s best interests at heart. Ruby was so infectious and it took some convincing for her to win Fran over on some festivities, but when she did, there was heaps and heaps of cuteness that only Clare could deliver.
I loved the story, with the local small village girl feel. This would make such a cute little movie, but as a story I found myself fully immersed in the magic of Mistletoe (what a cute name for a village!) Reading this was like being wrapped in a warm blanket, drinking cocoa, while falling in love. A truly magical Christmas romance that will have you feeling instantly festive! I can’t recommend Christmas In Mistletoe enough, and if you are looking for something to set the Christmas mood, this ticks every box! Loved it!!!
Ruby is an amazing singer but when Fran, a music executive approaches her after a low-key gig, Ruby refuses any offer she makes to sign her to a label based on past experience. When Ruby heads home to Mistletoe to see her family ahead of Christmas, the last person she expects to see is Fran. When it becomes apparent that Ruby is going to have to endure Fran’s presence throughout Christmas, the two of them finding themselves bonding over mutual appreciation for music, but when the past threatens to cause tension between them, Fran wonders if the magical Christmas atmosphere of Mistletoe will help her win Ruby’s trust and heart.
This was so cute!!! Clare is the queen of the festive romance, and Christmas in Mistletoe definitely ticked every box for giving you the festive feels. The cheeky humour, cute fluffy romantic moments, and drama mean Clare has once again delivered a hit romance that I thoroughly enjoyed and couldn’t get enough of. The whole story just made my heart happy, put a big smile on my face, and set the festive mood nicely.
Ruby was the ultimate girl next door, shy and unaware of just how amazingly talented she was. I completely understood her hesitance and worries about signing with a record label, and was proud of her for not being drawn in by Fran on the basis of promises of success. When Fran came to Mistletoe and we really got to see her character, my heart started warming to her. She was genuinely lovely and even with everything that happened, you could tell she always had Ruby’s best interests at heart. Ruby was so infectious and it took some convincing for her to win Fran over on some festivities, but when she did, there was heaps and heaps of cuteness that only Clare could deliver.
I loved the story, with the local small village girl feel. This would make such a cute little movie, but as a story I found myself fully immersed in the magic of Mistletoe (what a cute name for a village!) Reading this was like being wrapped in a warm blanket, drinking cocoa, while falling in love. A truly magical Christmas romance that will have you feeling instantly festive! I can’t recommend Christmas In Mistletoe enough, and if you are looking for something to set the Christmas mood, this ticks every box! Loved it!!!
December 6, 2022
Gave it a second chance and I still am not a fan 🤷♀️ oh well
December 17, 2023
A really cute, typical Christmas romance, but a queer one with basically no homophobia, which is amazing! There weren't really many unexpected turns here, except maybe the two of them talking their drama out instead of someone doing a grand gesture of apologizing, which is always nice. The communicating, not the gestures (though I do like grand gestures too). There was a bit too much sex for me, otherwise this is exactly the sweet Christmas romance it promises to be, nothing more and nothing less 🎄
January 30, 2022
slow burn but very cute ending im crying
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