A charming small town. An unexpected kiss. And a life-changing Christmas they'll never forget....
Kat Bennet has one wish this Christmas-save Hope Hideaway, the women's shelter where she works, from closing its doors for good.
But to do so, she must contact someone from her past and face painful memories she'd rather forget.
When an alluring stranger walks into Jack Gardener's cozy diner, his entire world changes for the better. The problem? She plans on leaving town... just like his ex.
They're both determined to keep their hearts safely tucked away, but Christmas in Poppy Creek has a special knack for showing people exactly what they need.
Can they overcome past hurts before their chance at love slips away?
Visit the quaint, charming town of Poppy Creek where strangers become family and hope and love always prevail. Each book in the heartwarming, small-town series is a clean and wholesome romance that's much more fun when read in order.
Enjoyed this Christmas romance the story definitely had lots of Christmas , great characters, family strife and forgiveness. I also got a chuckle from the author’s name play with characters from Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice.
It was so much fun to return to this enchanting town! And Jack and Kat's story was so sweet. In all honesty though, I didn't want it to end and can't wait for Reed's story next.
Rachael Bloome's, The Clause In Christmas, was my favorite Christmas read of 2019 and literally the last Christmas read for me of 2019. So, I was very excited to see we'd be getting another christmas romance from her in 2020. We need it. It's been dumpster fire after dumpster fire. I may have missed some things because I've yet to read the two books in the middle of this series, but The Meaning In Mistletoe is the romance between Kat and Jack. Kat's mother passed away and she learns of this brooch she had that may be worth some money. Kat tracks down her sister, (her Mom's daughter from another relationship) to acquire about it's whereabouts in hopes that they can agree to sell it so Kat can use her portion to save the women's shelter she works at.
Here's what I've come to appreciate about Rachael's writing; she is a romantic for the romantics. Her books (the two I've read so far) are very small town, charming and sweet and unapologetically so. She nails the Christmas vibes. Everything from wearing a cute coat because it's cold outside to descriptions of a small town in the midst of winter, hot chocolate. She provides you with visuals and beautiful descriptions to bring Christmas to you. and I love that.
I loved the growth we see in Kat in this book. Her romance with Jack on the surface may seem all like it moves fast but she's basically been hiding behind and because of..stuff. It's time for her to start living and I think her meeting Jack and him showing her that he has her back, is the perfect little nudge to start doing that.
It was cute, it was sweet, just what I needed this holiday season.
Another wonderful read. Great characters three-dimensional characters and I love how the titles really wrap back through the novel. There is just something so charming about the Poppy Creek series.
This was a fast fun read! I have fallen in love with this series and all of the characters!! I need the next book NOW!! Unfortunately I have to wait - sigh...
I feel like I am a part of the story, the town, the friendships, etc. I enjoyed the author's style of writing, her plot ideas and the fun that the books give the reader! I will be reading more by this author in the future!!
Kat Bennet has one wish this Christmas - to save Hope Hideaway, the women’s shelter where she works, from closing its doors for good. When her half-sister Penny reaches out to her in a letter inviting her to Poppy Creek, Kat decides to accept her offer. Kat hopes to persuade her sister to sell a priceless brooch that her mother left behind so she can save the shelter.
For Kat, it’s a simple get in getting out mission. The last thing she wants is to form any attachments - least of all with the half-sister she’s never met as this would mean confronting painful memories of the past. But Christmas in Poppy Creek has a way of working its magic into the hearts of those when they least expect it.
When Jack Gardner first sees Kat outside Thistle & Thorn he is completely captivated by her. Unfortunately, Kat plans on leaving Poppy Creek at the earliest opportunity. Can he convince her to overcome past hurts and stay?
The Meaning in Mistletoe is the fourth instalment of the Poppy Creek series about a woman confronting painful memories from her past while fighting to save a women’s shelter and her attraction for a rugged restaurant owner and his adorable dog. The book focuses on family and forgiveness and moving on from the past.
As with previous books, readers are able to catch up with their favourite Poppy Creek couples. Frank and Beverly’s wedding is just one of the many highlights - their wedding vows unashamedly brought tears to my eyes. Colt and Penny’s unexpected spur of the moment wedding was another bonus. Seeing Penny finally get some closure over her mother’s desertion when she was a child was poignant as was seeing her bond with the sister she didn't know she had until recently.
This was another great addition to the series and I'm looking forward to reading the follow-up.
This is another nice Christmas season romance with likable people and family relationships being healed and resolved in a small town setting I think we'd all like to experience. 3.5 stars
This will be my last book. The characters are always sweet, they continue into the next books because it’s a small town. Lots of moving issues. Too much religion for me.
I've been looking forward to reading Jack's story ever since his character was first introduced, and it definitely did not disappoint. This charming Christmas story has everything you could possibly want in a holiday read, and I know it's going to be one I'll be rereading each and every Christmas season.
It's only been a year since Rachael Bloome first started publishing her books, but she has quickly become one of my all time favorite authors. I love how much heart she writes into her stories, and that each and every title is clean and never includes uncomfortable content. I also appreciate the fact that even though this series is about a group of friends, each character is individual and well developed, and never feels like she's writing the same type of character over and over again.
I really loved Kat in this story, and I felt I could sympathize with her pretty easily over everything she'd had to go through. On top of loving her sweet relationship developing with both Jack and the town of Poppy Creek, I also adored her budding relationship with the sister she never knew about, and how much that relationship comes to mean to them both. Likewise, there's so much more to Jack's story than just his romance with Kat; we also get to see his family dynamics and why they've caused him so much hurt over the years.
I can't recommend the fourth book in the Poppy Creek series enough, and highly suggest that you make reading this one a priority this Christmas season.
Final Rating: 5/5. There wasn't anything I didn't enjoy about this beautiful story, and I can't wait for book five.
Thanks so much to Rachael Bloome for allowing me to advance read and review this!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance reader copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rachael Bloome is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, I look forward to each and every book that she has put out. This story starts out about a girl named Kat, who hasn't had the most easiest of paths, heads to the town of Poppy Creek, to seek out the sister that she has never meet. The purpose for that is to get a brooch of her mothers, that she hopes to be able to take and sell in order to raise money for a woman's shelter, Hope Hideaway. She soon learns it isn't going to be as easy as she thought, as her sister, Penny's father, has left a trail of clues in order for them to find the brooch. As soon as Kat gets to Poppy Creek, she meets a man named Jack, and from the beginning, you can tell Jack just thinks that Kat is something special. You will need to read the book to discover how everything folds out, but I can tell you that you won't be disappointed. You could read this book as a standalone, but I would recommend starting from the very first book, so you can get the feeling of how the town is, and all the stories leading up to this one, since it does continue their stories on in this book. Pick this up today and I know you won't be able to put it down either.
A bitter, grieving Kat Bennet travels to Poppy Creek looking for a miracle. She hopes to save a women’s shelter—the only home she has known—by selling a family heirloom after obtaining it from a half-sister she does not know. But instead of the quick fix she is looking for, Kat finds new problems to solve and new people to meet, including diner owner Jack Gardener.
Yes, there are romances to savor with a title like The Meaning in Mistletoe. But there is so much more. Author Rachael Bloome’s work is rich with metaphors and credible characters who wrestle with their values, their past hurts and fears. Is it possible to focus on the good, even to forgive? Kat’s adventures, challenges and changes kept me reading into the night, finding that indeed, miracles do happen—though not in expected ways.
This is the fourth book in Bloome’s Poppy Creek series. I love this community! We catch up with beloved friends from previous books and have hints of new people I can’t wait to meet in book five.
To get into the holiday spirit, why not fix your favorite hot beverage and settle in for a satisfying read?
What a wonderful and romantic story! Of course, if the story takes place in Poppy Creek, you know it will be heartwarming!
I loved the instant connection between Kat and Jack! He's always been one of my favorite characters (although, I honestly love them all lol!). I'm so happy to read that he found his true love 💝💐
The way Kat first reacted when she met Jack was pretty funny...I could almost picture his face! She was a tortured soul upon arriving to town and within days, she found peace, acceptance and most importantly...love. Love of her sister that she had thought wouldn't accept her, as well as from a dear man named Jack. And don't forget Fitz!
Frank and Beverly's wedding vows almost brought tears to my eyes. What a lovely couple.
Rachael writes from her heart and the stories are written in such a way that you feel as if you are there. I'm so anxious for the next book ❤️
Kat is hoping for a Christmas miracle this year: to save Hope Hideaway, the women's shelter she works for. In order to do so, she needs to come up with money fast. When she finds out about a family heirloom that she could sell to get the money, she heads to Poppy Creek. There she finds a sister who can help her track down the heirloom. However, things aren't as easy as they seem. There are clues to figure out the location of the item. Kat ends up staying in Poppy Creek while trying to solve the puzzle. She meets a man named Jack that just might turn her world upside down. Jack is drawn to Kat as they spend more time together but he has been hurt by someone leaving him in the past and Kat's time in Poppy Creek is limited. Will the magic of the Christmas season bring them together? And will Kat find a way to save Hope Hideaway in time?
I read the first Poppy Creek novel, The Clause in Christmas, last year and I loved it. I knew that I wanted to read this one this Christmas. The only problem is that there are a couple of non-Christmas books in between. This is book 4 of the series. While you don't necessarily have to read those first, there are some characters mentioned in this one that I wasn't familiar with and I wish I had read the in between books first. But for the most part, this is its own Christmas story and can be enjoyed separately. I really love how Rachael Bloome incorporates Christmas fun and traditions into her stories. In both books there were different activities that the characters had to complete and puzzles to be solved. I loved the chemistry between Jack and Kat and all of Poppy Creek traditions that they took part in. The faith element was really good too with themes of forgiveness and trusting in God. I really enjoyed this book just as much as The Clause in Christmas and hope to read more of the Poppy Creek series in the future!
The Meaning in Mistletoe by Rachael Bloome is the fourth book in the Poppy Creek series. Kat Bennet has only one Christmas wish: to save Hope Hideaway. Hope Hideaway is a women’s shelter where she works but more than that, it is truly the only home she has ever known. With falling donations, the thought of closing the doors for good breaks her heart. Then a sudden idea brings her to the charming small town of Poppy Creek. Jack Gardener’s attention is immediately drawn to the new stranger in town. He is more than happy to show Kat the charm of his beloved town. However, he knows she doesn’t plan to stay. Both Jack and Kat keep their hearts under lock and key and their pasts hidden. However, Christmas in Poppy Creek is more than just charming, there is magic in the air. Can they let this Christmas be one they will never forget and find love for a lifetime? I am in love with the Poppy Creek series and The Meaning in Mistletoe is a wonderful addition. I could not put this story down as Kat and Jack deal with past hurts, uncertain futures and a love they cannot deny. All characters from the previous books make the occasional appearances without bogging down the story. One of my favorite moments is between Kat and Fern, her mentor/mother figure. Kat questions what if God doesn’t open doors and Fern responds with God always opens doors, it’s not always the ones we expect! I also love how the epilogue of the book leads into the story of the next book. I can’t wait to continue this series. If you love small town charms, clean and wholesome romance with faith and a bit of magic, I highly recommend The Meaning in Mistletoe and the previous books in this series. I highly recommend starting with the first book, The Clause in Christmas.
The Meaning in Mistletoe is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook
Much like the first Poppy Creek book, I loved The Meaning in Mistletoe! It was such a good balance of romance with subtle drama, be it familial-based or other life circumstances/obstacles-based. My favorite part of this book though was the relationship development between Kat and Penny. This book reminded me what I loved about Penny as a character that the last book centered on her made me lose sight of. I wish the book had more of their camaraderie and I can only hope we’ll see more of it in future books!
I will agree with other reviewers that there did seem to be a greater focus on the plot involving Kat and less so on Jack. Jack’s issues with his family seemed to be easily buttoned up with little fanfare and while it definitely works in the scheme of the story, I was still wishing for a little more than we got. Perhaps there will be more of that in future books as well? (I’d be curious to know if there’s someone out there for Lucy…)
This book definitely reinforced what I loved about the first two Poppy Creek books that the last one lacked and it has me looking forward to more for sure! I know books like this aren’t for everyone; quick and easily negotiated HEA’s with unrealistic, Hallmark-esque towns and characters and stories may not be for everyone. But I’m of the mind that real life is hard enough, so why not find your joy in a book whenever and wherever you can? Rachael Bloome definitely covers that joy and then some, and I’m excited to see where we go next!
Kat Bennett goes to Poppy Creek to look for her half-sister Penny and ask her for the brooch that belonged to their mother. Kat is planning to sell it in hopes she will get enough money for it to keep the women's shelter open where she lives and works. It is right before Christmas and she wants to surprise Fern, the woman who runs the shelter and who raised Kat with her gift- saving Hope Hideaway. She parks at Thistle and Thorn and the first person she meets is the owner of the town's diner Jack Gardener when her scarf blows away and he picks it up. Jack is automatically drawn to her but all that is on Kat's mind is getting the brooch and going back home. Penny agrees to give Kat the brooch, but her father had hidden it before he died suddenly and left riddles where Penny could find it as a game. Kat has to stay in Poppy Creek until they can figure out the riddles and find the brooch. Jack shows her around town, they find a stray puppy and get snowed in at Jack's house. This is book four in the Poppy Creek series, and it doesn't disappoint. It is about forgiveness, letting go of the past and romance. It is a lovely Christmas story about families reuniting, two weddings and Penny finally finds out the truth about her mother. This book blends in perfectly with the first three in the series and continues with the lives of all the favorite and beloved characters.
Rachael Bloome has quickly became one of my must read authors and her Poppy Creek series is a favorite. The Meaning in Mistletoe centers around Jack Gardener and Kat Bennet. Kat comes to Poppy Creek to meet her sister, Penny, and hopefully get her to sell their mother’s brooch, so Kat can save Hope Hideaway. Hope Hideaway is the women’s shelter where Kat works and lives. Jack first sees Kat outside Thistle & Thorn and is captivated by her. I’m not going to leave any spoilers because I really hope everyone will grab this book and read it for themselves. Although this book is part of a series, I feel like you can read this book and not be lost concerning the other characters mentioned in this book. Don’t get me wrong, I think you’ll enjoy this book even more if you’ve read the previous books. Do yourself a favor and give yourself an early Christmas present and grab your copy. I love this series so much and I think you will too. I can’t wait for my paperback copy to arrive.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review.
I enjoyed listening to this on Audible, the narration was excellent. It was good to be back in Poppy Creek catching up with all the characters. This is Kat and Jack's story.
Kat works for a women's shelter that is close to closing and she will do all she can to save it, even if that means coming to Poppy Creek to see somone from her past. The day she arrives she meets Jack and there is a connection. In order to find what she is looking for she much complete a scavenger hunt with Penny. As Kat spends time in Poppy Creek, she makes new friends and takes part in some of the town's Christmas traditions.
This was a well paced story with great interaction between all the characters. I loved learnign more about the characters we had met in previous stories and seeing what had been happening to them. These side stories were woven really well into the main story and you didn't feel they over took the main plot.
A good book to read with the christmas light twinkling and the cosiness of a blanket round you.
Oh my! Prepare to shed some tears. This Hallmark worthy book is a beautiful and moving live story.
In this fourth installment Penny’s long lost half-sister has found her way to Poppy Creek. On a mission to save Hope Hideaway Shelter, Kat goes to Poppy Creek to find a priceless broach her mother left behind.
Kat is on a go in and get out mission. She doesn’t want any attachments, not even her sister. But when her mission turns to a treasure hunt, fate decides her path. And what an unexpected journey it will be.
This book is wonderful. A very touching and emotional story. We learn new things about our friends in Poppy Creek.
Overall this beautiful romance is a perfect read for the upcoming holidays. It has a wonderful group of characters. Jack is simply amazing and he is caught completely off guard by the alluring and beautiful Kat.
I love the groundwork the author has laid out to blend the books smoothly and flawlessly. Picking up exactly where the last left off. You could read as a stand-alone, but why would you want to miss out on all the love and joy Poppy Creek has to offer.
Falling in love with a complete stranger in a little town you’ve never been into, and in split second, is totally interesting. When two people walked on different path and suddenly bump to each other is a destiny, and it’s quite alluring when the other person can be your soulmate.
Once again I’m so captivated by the writing in this book. It’s clean and warm. I’ve read four series and sometimes I want the story to be more interesting, maybe a bit more dramatic here and there, but then I think again…let’s just keep it that way for Poppy Creek. The story is already beautiful as it is. I got teary eyes several times because the words aren’t just sweet but it also gives me strength to believe in good things.
Although there’s Christian moral lesson in this book, while I’m not even Christian, it’s just beautiful. Every religions that thought about peace is just wonderful.
I’m delighted that everyone got their own happy ending and I want to finish this series. I want to be a part of Poppy Creak! 😊
Kat has grown up at the women's shelter where her absentee mother often stayed, and Fern, the woman who runs it, really raised her. But the shelter may have to close, since several of their major donors have withdrawn their support. Her mom talked about a valuable brooch, and when Kat learns she has a half sister, Penny, in another town, she figures that maybe Penny will consent to selling the brooch and splitting the proceeds to save Hope Hideaway. Penny and Kat have to solve a series of riddles to find it, courtesy of Penny's dad, and they are helped by Jack, owner of the local diner. Lots of chemistry between Kat and Jack, although they are reluctant to admit it. While searching for the brooch, Kat experiences her first snowfall, helps Jack adopt a stray dog, and explores the idea of forgiveness. I enjoyed this Christmas romance (which reminded me of some of the novels by one of my favorite authors, Debbie Macomber) but wish the author hadn't included the epilogue, because it was just a hook to read the next book--my nemesis, the cliffhanger ending.
A charming small town. An unexpected kiss. And a life-changing Christmas they’ll never forget....
Kat Bennet has one wish this Christmas—save Hope Hideaway, the women’s shelter where she works, from closing its doors for good.
But to do so, she must contact someone from her past and face painful memories she’d rather forget.
When an alluring stranger walks into Jack Gardener’s cozy diner, his entire world changes for the better. The problem? She plans on leaving town… just like his ex.
They’re both determined to keep their hearts safely tucked away, but Christmas in Poppy Creek has a special knack for showing people exactly what they need.
Can they overcome past hurts before their chance at love slips away?
Visit the quaint, charming town of Poppy Creek where strangers become family and hope and love always prevail. Each book in the heartwarming, small-town series is a clean and wholesome romance that's much more fun when read in order.