Magic and Midnight Mint Bars

by Iona Morrison

Months after a bitter divorce, Sally Mansfield is spending Christmas with her best friends at the Blue Iris Inn. Fifty pounds thinner than the last time they were together, she is excited for her friends to see the change. She might still be wounded, her self-esteem at rock bottom, but Sally is determined to have a fun holiday with her friends.

A recent broken engagement brought Chad Bennett back to Blue Cove. Intrigued by Sally, he is interested in learning more, but she remains a closed book and truthfully so is he. Is it possible with the help of a little Christmas magic, a winsome sprite named Elida, some chocolate goodness, and friends, two lonely souls can find friendship and the possibility of a lot more over the holidays?

92 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 8, 2021

Reviews

[Marilyn Barr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magic and Midnight Mint Bars by Iona Morrison is a touching tale of second chances. Sally and Chad have been brought together in her childhood town after painful breakups. It was obvious from their first meeting that they fit like two puzzle pieces. Their chemistry leaped from the page – even if their friends pushed them together at every turn.

However, my favorite character is Elida the fairy when she dresses in her disguise as Holly. Elida has magical glamor and can change herself to look like a little old lady to get away with mischief. From purposefully confusing the hero to rearranging the heroine’s schedule, her shenanigans were hilarious. All of her scenes had me on the edge of my seat, I needed to know what trouble she would stir up next!

Overall, I recommend this fairytale of second chances and magic to hopeless romantics who are looking for holiday magic.

[Laura Strickland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sally Mansfield has a lot of pain to overcome. An abusive husband has left her with a seriously damaged self-image and with doubt about whether she will ever again be able to trust a man. Now she’s returned home to the town of Blue Cove for Christmas, hoping time spent with old friends will help her heal. The last thing she wants, or thinks she needs, is a man—no matter how comfortable the handsome town manager, Chad Bennett makes her feel.

Chad’s not looking for love either, at least until a tiny sprite of a woman called Holly begins weaving some Christmas magic into Chad and Sally’s lives. Who can resist a dose of Christmas magic? Who would even try? I think you will enjoy this entirely sweet story about learning to love oneself before being able to love again.

[Cherie Colyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sally Mansfield is just out of a bad relationship, wounded and feeling low self-esteem she heads to Blue Iris Inn to spend Christmas with her best friends. Surrounded by people who love her and with the aide of someone I grew to think of as her fairy godmother, Sally stops blaming herself for the horrible events of her past. And did I mention there is a sweet, attractive man who isn’t there to find love, but he can’t help but notice Sally. Magic & Midnight Mint Bars has just the right amount of holiday spirit, friendship, romance, and hope. If you’re in the mood for an inspirational story, you won’t be disappointed.

[Marcia - itsabookthing2021 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and publishers for the eARC of Magic & Midnight Mint Bars This is an endearing Christmas novella which is about second chances, friendships, romance and hope. The main character Sally is left by her abusive husband and is having to pick up pieces of her tattered self esteem. Unsurprisingly there's a love connection, I felt this was written well as the chemistry sizzled from page. With any good magic romance novel there's a magic fairy who causes havoc in Sally's life, whilst match making in the process. Magic & Midnight Mint Bars is a lovely, engaging and cozy read.

[Sheila Hemingway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet Christmas story

This is the next in the series about Jesse and Katie and their third friend. It really brought a smile to my face. To see Sally doing so well after her bitter divorce. Can't wait to see what happens between Sally and Chad. They both deserve to be happy.

[Judy Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sally Mansfield has returned to the Blue Iris Inn in Blue Cove for the holidays to meet her childhood friends. She’s recovering from an abusive relationship. A recent broken engagement and job offer brought Chad Bennett back. Both are sworn to not repeat their mistakes and fall in love again.

You have to love the magic of Christmas and author Iona Morrison who puts it all together in her novella by using a Christmas sprite, named Elida, who chooses the name Holly as she appears in the real world. The cheerful sprite sets out to match Sally with Chad as she nudges them toward each other to help them rediscover love.

This is an enjoyable read with a hint of paranormal that makes it endearing for the Christmas season. And who doesn’t like mint bars, also a part of the story with an accompanying recipe at the end? This story is sweet, engaging, and an adorable read.

[Jeanne Kern · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Don't waste another day hiding when you could be living."
This great advice comes from a magic being assigned to watch over Sally, who has avoided men since her divorce from an abusive husband. Sally knows there is still joy in the world, and she comes to New England at Christmas to let her old friends help her find it. She is surprised to have help from a mystical new friend and a little Christmas magic.
Chad also avoids the opposite sex, but he is strangely unable to avoid Sally.
Chocolate and mint and magic--a wonderful feel-good Christmas read.

[Vickie Atencio · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming and poignant Christmas story with the added bonus of a recipe for some fabulous Christmas cookies!