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No Brides Club #18
No Time for Mistletoe
What happens when you meet Mr. Right at exactly the WRONG time?
Marissa Erickson is excited when she’s asked to put together a Christmas event for the nonprofit where she works until her boss mentions getting to meet her often-discussed—and entirely non-existent—fiancé. Asking her ex-boyfriend to be her fake fiancé might not be the wisest thing she’s ever done, but he’s the only one who knows her well enough to make it work.
Cowboy Derek Hartman was devastated when Marissa left him and their small town behind for the big city. He couldn’t have been more shocked to get a message from her, and he almost ignored it completely. After all, he has a ranch to run. But Marissa needs him, and he’d never been able to tell her no. Derek goes to New York to save the day, and they discover their friendship never faded.
Only, their fake relationship is a little too convincing, especially when they share a kiss ‘just for show’ under the mistletoe.
The No Brides Club is a fun, sassy, and heart-warming series featuring sophisticated women and the men they fall for.
193 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 25, 2020
15 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
December 25, 2020
Sigh! This was the text equivalent of a Hallmark Christmas movie. Sweet small-town charm and down-home values face off against big city hustle and metropolitan glitz. Since I’m such a sucker for a second chance story, I knew this book was going to be right up my alley. Mix in the magic of the holiday season and I got one of the perfect Christmas reads I’ve been looking for all week. I adored Derek. He’s sweet and he stays true to himself throughout all the shenanigans. Marissa gave me a bit of a “Scrooge” feeling in that she needed some reminders of what the season is really about, what matters most. I loved the ending and I’m not anywhere near ready to let these characters go yet.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the publisher.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the publisher.
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January 9, 2021Nominated for a 2021 Swoony Award, to vote click here: https://tinyurl.com/y593ce67
March 5, 2021
I loved this second chance small town romance. Small towns hold a special place for me maybe because I have grown up in one. And Second Chances, I just pick them up.
This story is about high school sweet hearts who go their own way, one to pursue her dreams and the other does not stop her from following them. And then he supports her in her lies as well. I loved the characters, Derek more than Marissa. The secondary characters are supportive and friendly and understanding.
The story is well written in a simple language and is fast paced.
This is the first book by the author that I have read and I plan to read more books from her and also more books in the series.
This story is about high school sweet hearts who go their own way, one to pursue her dreams and the other does not stop her from following them. And then he supports her in her lies as well. I loved the characters, Derek more than Marissa. The secondary characters are supportive and friendly and understanding.
The story is well written in a simple language and is fast paced.
This is the first book by the author that I have read and I plan to read more books from her and also more books in the series.
December 22, 2020
Christina Butrum's contribution to the No Brides Club series is a sweet, clean novel of second chances.
She gives the main character, Marissa, many opportunities to come into her own and claim the mistakes she's made. She has moved away from her hometown and first love, Derek. When lies she has told in order to fit in at her new job in New York start coming to light, she is desperate and chooses to bring Derek in to help her pull it off. Derek sees helping her as getting a second chance at getting her to put love for him first. Can he convince her to choose him and love or will she continue with her lies and leave him again?
If you like romance without all the hot, sweaty stuff and just full of heart, you should give this author a try. She turns out stories that make you happy and content when you're finished with them.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
She gives the main character, Marissa, many opportunities to come into her own and claim the mistakes she's made. She has moved away from her hometown and first love, Derek. When lies she has told in order to fit in at her new job in New York start coming to light, she is desperate and chooses to bring Derek in to help her pull it off. Derek sees helping her as getting a second chance at getting her to put love for him first. Can he convince her to choose him and love or will she continue with her lies and leave him again?
If you like romance without all the hot, sweaty stuff and just full of heart, you should give this author a try. She turns out stories that make you happy and content when you're finished with them.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
December 26, 2020
No Time for Mistletoe No Brides Club 18 by Christina Butrum
No Time for Mistletoe is a second chance romance where we have Marrissa who left her small town to follow her dream job in New York, leaving behind her childhood sweetheart Derek. Now she needs a favour, she has told her work colleagues that she is engaged, and of course, she is not who can help her out of this spot she has gotten herself into. She calls Derek he is the only person who can help full this off.
No Time for Mistletoe is exceptional, well-written, intriguing that just draws the reader in from start to finish. The emotional pull to the story is quite extraordinary. This is certainly a book I would have no hesitation in recommending.
No Time for Mistletoe is a second chance romance where we have Marrissa who left her small town to follow her dream job in New York, leaving behind her childhood sweetheart Derek. Now she needs a favour, she has told her work colleagues that she is engaged, and of course, she is not who can help her out of this spot she has gotten herself into. She calls Derek he is the only person who can help full this off.
No Time for Mistletoe is exceptional, well-written, intriguing that just draws the reader in from start to finish. The emotional pull to the story is quite extraordinary. This is certainly a book I would have no hesitation in recommending.
December 28, 2020
Marissa is following her dream job far away from her Iowa home in New York city. She doeant have anything holding her there since her parents have past. Nothing except for Derek. He's been her best friend and more for as long as she can remember. She kind of backed herself into a corner by telling her new coworkers that she is engaged. She just wanted to fit in more than she had sense. Now its time for the big holiday fund raiser and her fiancee is expected to be there. Marissa asks Derek to step in for the party. When he arrives, feelings rekindle but can they figure out how it will work a half a counrty away?
I enjoyed this clean romance. Marissa is a woman who wants desperately to follow her dream career. She feels out of sorts being a counrty girl in the big city. She finds the No Brides group and all the supportive women there but something is still missing. Derek is looking for closure but discovers his feelings may not be so cut and dry. The relationship between them seems to evolve seamlessly. Yes, they have history and they have some bad water under the bridge but the new relationship seems stronger than ever. Until it isnt. Their HEA may not happen if they both dont see whats right in front of them
I enjoyed this clean romance. Marissa is a woman who wants desperately to follow her dream career. She feels out of sorts being a counrty girl in the big city. She finds the No Brides group and all the supportive women there but something is still missing. Derek is looking for closure but discovers his feelings may not be so cut and dry. The relationship between them seems to evolve seamlessly. Yes, they have history and they have some bad water under the bridge but the new relationship seems stronger than ever. Until it isnt. Their HEA may not happen if they both dont see whats right in front of them
January 2, 2021
In what has become a tradition in the No Brides Club series, "No Time for Mistletoe" is a wonderful romance especially for this holiday season. Marissa and Derek have been best friends and then boyfriend and girlfriend for years until Marissa decides to seek her dream job and move to the big city from Iowa farm country. When Marissa is given responsibility for the company Christmas gala, she faces a dilemma regarding the fake fiancee she has told her coworkers about, so she contacts Derek to see if he will pretend to be 'Kevin', the fiancee, for the gala. Against his better judgment, Derek shows up in New York City earlier than expected and things get very interesting.
There are sweet moments and plenty of tensions that reflect the tug-of-war going on in both Marissa's and Derek's hearts. An adorable little boy and a company gossip throw in a few awkward moments and good bits of tension. Marissa's boss and Derek's father provide wise advice and the No Brides Club comes through with great support, as always. I received a free copy of the book for my voluntary honest review. I recommend this very good story, along with pajama pants and hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows!
There are sweet moments and plenty of tensions that reflect the tug-of-war going on in both Marissa's and Derek's hearts. An adorable little boy and a company gossip throw in a few awkward moments and good bits of tension. Marissa's boss and Derek's father provide wise advice and the No Brides Club comes through with great support, as always. I received a free copy of the book for my voluntary honest review. I recommend this very good story, along with pajama pants and hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows!
December 25, 2020
Christina Butrum writes sweet, clean romance stories that warm your heart and restore your faith in humanity. Marissa and Derek’s story is no exception.
Marissa creates a fake fiancé in order to fit in with her boss and the family-oriented charity where she works When she is asked to bring ‘Kevin’ to the holiday event she is in charge of planning, she asks her childhood friend, Derek, to help her.
Derek has always loved Marissa and was devastated when she left their hometown to begin her career in New York City. Being asked to pretend to be her fiancé gives him hope that he can still win her heart.
I always enjoy Christina Butrum’s books. She proves that, if you write a good story, you don’t need steamy bedroom scenes. She creates wonderful storylines without adding bedroom scenes that add nothing to the story.
I recommend No Time for Mistletoe to anyone who enjoys sweet, clean romance stories.
I received a complimentary copy of No Time for Mistletoe in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Marissa creates a fake fiancé in order to fit in with her boss and the family-oriented charity where she works When she is asked to bring ‘Kevin’ to the holiday event she is in charge of planning, she asks her childhood friend, Derek, to help her.
Derek has always loved Marissa and was devastated when she left their hometown to begin her career in New York City. Being asked to pretend to be her fiancé gives him hope that he can still win her heart.
I always enjoy Christina Butrum’s books. She proves that, if you write a good story, you don’t need steamy bedroom scenes. She creates wonderful storylines without adding bedroom scenes that add nothing to the story.
I recommend No Time for Mistletoe to anyone who enjoys sweet, clean romance stories.
I received a complimentary copy of No Time for Mistletoe in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
December 26, 2020
Loved this truly traditional Hallmark Movie Romance Story! It's ironic how many times that Marissa & Derek and even her friends referred to their relationship as being a Hallmark Movie and that Marissa loved watching Hallmark Movies. To have this story read just like a beautifully written made for TV Hallmark Movie.
Marissa just wanted her dream life with her dream job and after she lost her parents, she left Derek who she'd been friends with since childhood to seek her dream job. Unfortunately, she tried too hard to be someone she wasn't because she wanted the job so much.
Derek stayed back in Iowa while Marissa lived what she thought was her dream life. The job, yes, but she was missing so much.
This is a must read story. I literally sat here all day on Christmas day and read this story instead of watching my Hallmark Movies. I didn't miss watching them, because what I read was the real thing.
Thank you Christina Butrum for writing such a heartwarming and loving book.
Marissa just wanted her dream life with her dream job and after she lost her parents, she left Derek who she'd been friends with since childhood to seek her dream job. Unfortunately, she tried too hard to be someone she wasn't because she wanted the job so much.
Derek stayed back in Iowa while Marissa lived what she thought was her dream life. The job, yes, but she was missing so much.
This is a must read story. I literally sat here all day on Christmas day and read this story instead of watching my Hallmark Movies. I didn't miss watching them, because what I read was the real thing.
Thank you Christina Butrum for writing such a heartwarming and loving book.
December 30, 2020
Marissa lets her boss coworkers think she's engaged to a successful guy, thinking it's the family image her employer would want. I wonder why no one asked her about her lack of engagement ring sooner. But then she's asked to bring him to the holiday charity event and she decides to ask her ex in Iowa to pretend to be her fiance. I'm surprised she thought he would just drop everything after she broke up with him at the last minute and that he would have the money for last minute flights over the holidays, fancy clothes, and hotel rooms. I also wondered how she could afford a 2 bedroom apartment without roommates in NYC that wasn't rent controlled when she works for a non-profit. There wasn't any mention of what she would do with it at the end of the book either. She also seemed embarrassed to be with Derek when he was dressed as cowboy in the city. I loved the idea behind the charity she works for and that she moved to NYC to work for them. This was a clean second chance holiday romance.
December 25, 2020
I enjoyed this Christmas story and next "No Brides Club" book. It's a second chance story between two characters who had broken up previously because Marissa wanted to fulfill her dreams and go to New York and Derek wanted to stay in Iowa on the ranch where they'd grown up. When Marissa runs into a "snag" and needs a plus one for a big event for her job after she's "lied" about having a fiance, she calls Derek to fill the spot. Being the good sport that he is, he comes to New York to do it. I loved Derek and how he stayed true to himself through the whole book. I had a harder time warming up to Marissa. She was really selfish most of the time and I know it's how the story had to play out but I just didn't connect with her. I loved the ending so she "came to herself" in the end. I was glad about that. I was glad Derek had patience with her. I don't know if I would have!
December 26, 2020
This is a fast pace loving story of a second chance at love. Marissa has lost both her parents in a year and thought of a new life in a new state and town would help her get over the loss of her parents, but by doing what she wanted for a career she had to break not only her heart but Derek’s too. Derek is a cowboy and helps at his dad’s ranch by taking care of things. Derek and Marissa have always been together and when she moved away it broke both of them. Marissa made up a fake relationship to be accepted into a new world, but when the reality of the made up life needed to become real she called her ex to play the part but what wasn’t fake was their feelings for each other. There can be a lots of tears and laughter happening in the book but will they find what they both want. A home and a career that makes them both happy? Need to read to find out the ending.
December 25, 2020
No Time for Mistletoe is a sweet romantic story during the Christmas season. Marissa has been living in NYC for three months working at her dream job at a nonprofit company but she is lonely and has made up a fiancé. Marissa then asks Derek her ex fiancé to pretend to be her fake fiancé Kevin. This is a very heartwarming story with dealing with grief of the loss of Marissa parents and struggling with moving away from her hometown and breaking up with Derek. I highly recommend reading this book and it is a wonderful edition to the No Brides Club series. I received this book as an arc for an honest review of it.
December 27, 2020
This was another great story in the No Brides Club series. It was a romantic story set at Christmastime. I really liked the characters of Marissa, who left Iowa for a job in New York City to be a project manager for Hope House and Derrick, the cowboy Marissa left behind in Iowa. How funny the story became when Marissa's boss wants to meet her pretend fiance, Kevin. Marissa ended up asking her ex-boyfriend to be her fake fiance to the gala and he agreed. It also was a little awkward for the cowboy to be in the city with all of the guys dressed up in their fancy suits. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
December 25, 2020
Characters are so alive. The story will warm your heart. It has a small town charm to the story but is set in Ney York. Marissa leaves her small town for a job in New York. She needs help and calls for her old boyfriend Derek to help. Can Derek win her heart and have a second chance? Grab the book and find out.
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
December 25, 2020
I have missed the No Brides Club and was so happy to get a chance to read this one. Perfectly set for this Christmas season, it was was sweet and fitting. You couldn't help but to fall for Derek, I simply loved the Cowboy in the City I enjoyed that fact that Marissa thought she was fooling everyone - but there are just some things in life you can't hide. The ending was exactly as I hoped it would be....Merry Christmas 🎄
December 27, 2020
I have not found a No Brides Club that wasn't an entertaining read. This one is no exception with another country girl moving to the big city only to discover that what she is looking for is actually back where she came from. However the journey to her happy ever after is somewhat complicated when she asks her ex to be her fake fiance. How can she keep her dream job and her true love, read it and find out.
December 28, 2020
After she lost both her parents, Marissa left her childhood sweetheart on his ranch in Iowa for her dream job in NYC at Hope's House, their equivalent to the Ronald McDonald House. I adored Derek. He was sweet, charming and loved her enough to let her go, but she appeared selfish, in my opinion. Thankfully, he was very patient with her. The writing was warm and full of heart. It's just a wonderful second chance story that I highly recommend!
December 30, 2020
Love or Career?
Welcome to the next N.B.C. book.
History? we all have it, yet some can't leave it in the past.
Starting over or try again - which is better for Marissa, does Derek agree? It's almost if you blink, you could miss "it"!
This clean romance is an added bonus to the No Brides Club, supportive friends, each looking toward their careers, yet 1 eye is usually scanning for that special Mr. Groom. I love catching up with characters from the previous books in the series and look forward to it continuing.
Welcome to the next N.B.C. book.
History? we all have it, yet some can't leave it in the past.
Starting over or try again - which is better for Marissa, does Derek agree? It's almost if you blink, you could miss "it"!
This clean romance is an added bonus to the No Brides Club, supportive friends, each looking toward their careers, yet 1 eye is usually scanning for that special Mr. Groom. I love catching up with characters from the previous books in the series and look forward to it continuing.
December 25, 2020
This story is all cuteness, sweetness and heart wrapped up with a great big Christmas bow. While overall, I thought it was a good read with a very likable hero (Cute cowboy, anyone?), I was not a huge fan of Marissa's. She really rubbed me the wrong way and that is 100% all on me and not to be taken as a bad reflection on the book itself. By my own volition I'm posting a candid review.
December 26, 2020
Love Derek, he is portrayed very well as a good guy and he really is a 5* character. His relationship with Marissa is a common trope that I enjoy reading but I really didn't warm up to her, she does have grit though. The No Brides Club did bring a little life and humor but even that was brief. I received a free copy at no cost and without obligation from the author.
December 28, 2020
Marissa was sure that her new life in New York was everything she needed, everything that was important. When she needs her ex boyfriend to be her fake fiancé he comes willingly to help her. When he goes back home to Iowa she realizes maybe he is more important then her new life. It was sweet how they discover their true feelings and what they do about them.
December 28, 2020
No Time For Mistletoe is a sweet, heartwarming, Christmas romance. Marissa and Derek/Kevin have real chemistry but she left him and her small town to pursue her dream in New York City. Their path to true love is pretty rocky, but once I began reading, I could not put the book down. I think the ending was perfect for this well written romance.
December 28, 2020
4.5
Well, my heart broke many times for Derek. I definitely liked Marissa less and less as the pages turned, she had a lot to do to redeem herself in my eyes. This isn’t a happy -go- lucky fake relationship romance. It’s got pain and toughness woven in. Hurts and history. It was a good read
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Well, my heart broke many times for Derek. I definitely liked Marissa less and less as the pages turned, she had a lot to do to redeem herself in my eyes. This isn’t a happy -go- lucky fake relationship romance. It’s got pain and toughness woven in. Hurts and history. It was a good read
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
December 28, 2020
Can Marissa and Derek have a second chance at love? She left their hometown in Iowa to live in New York following her dream work. Noe she needs a fiancé for her company event and she only has Derek to help her. But fake a relationship, if only for two weeks, will bring them together or break their heart all over again ?
December 29, 2020
No Time For Mistletoe
Marissa a young woman who left Iowa to pursue her dreams to work for Hope’s House in New York City. She got a job after her interview with Mr Bennett only she felt she needed to embellish it a little with a fake boyfriend and a dog. This was fine but after a while it backfired on her and she was hard pressed to figure out what she had done wrong. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
Marissa a young woman who left Iowa to pursue her dreams to work for Hope’s House in New York City. She got a job after her interview with Mr Bennett only she felt she needed to embellish it a little with a fake boyfriend and a dog. This was fine but after a while it backfired on her and she was hard pressed to figure out what she had done wrong. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
December 30, 2020
A fake fiancé is never a good idea because sooner or later someone is going to insist on meeting them. Possibly the only thing worse than a fake fiancé is asking your ex to pretend to be said fiancé. This is another tale that I end up hoarse after reading from yelling at the main characters so often. They just don’t listen. This has been a fun series and Christina Butrum continues that in this book. I hope the No Brides Club just keeps getting bigger and bigger.
January 5, 2021
As always with the books in the No Brides Club you are entertained from beginning to end. It's a second chance sweet romance between Marissa and her ex Derek. This story will make your heart melt. Derek is the perfect hero for this story. I also love the friendships the Brides Club have throughout this series, and continues on with Marissa. This was a great read.
December 23, 2020
A sweet feel good story.
Marissa leaves the only home she has know for New York and a job that she has always wanted. She leaves her childhood sweetheart behind.
Now she needs to come up with a fiancee and Hopes that Derek will help out.
Typical christmas time reunited.
Marissa leaves the only home she has know for New York and a job that she has always wanted. She leaves her childhood sweetheart behind.
Now she needs to come up with a fiancee and Hopes that Derek will help out.
Typical christmas time reunited.
December 24, 2020
This is a great holiday story. I enjoyed it. It is a nice story about Marissa and Derek. You can't help but hope that they can make there long distance relationship work.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my voluntary review.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my voluntary review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews