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Holiday Dare #1

Mistletoe Blues

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It started with a holiday dare.

So there was no way Joie Pickett could say no to telling the mall Santa, whose name she didn't even know, her deepest desire.

Theo Blue never thought his stint as a mall Santa would lead to him being seduced by the brown skinned beauty he'd only exchanged a few words with.

But when they’re unexpectedly brought together on Christmas Eve, he had one goal in mind: to find out if she was on the naughty or nice list.

82 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 2, 2021

130 people are currently reading
582 people want to read

About the author

Bella Jay

23 books632 followers
Miami bred, Bella Jay (born Precious Rodgers) has had a love for books since she was a little girl. Getting lost in them was a favorite past time but writing them has become a true love. In 2018, with a little push she stepped out on faith and released her first novel to the world allowing her writer alter ego, Bella Jay, to take flight into the writing industry.

She writes spicy & contemporary Black romance books with unapologetically flawed characters who she loves to fix.

When she’s not wrapped up in her characters, she can be found traveling the world, building her empire, sipping on tea or wine while reading a book, and wishing healthy eats were pancakes or cupcakes.

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5 stars
599 (52%)
4 stars
377 (32%)
3 stars
142 (12%)
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23 (2%)
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6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews
Profile Image for Shawnaci Schroeder.
559 reviews5,051 followers
December 11, 2025
4/5
Such a spicy read and I loved every second of it!! This author knows how to make books fun and I found myself scrolling online to find more books by this author because I loved this one so much. Loved that this had a somewhat unique holiday storyline too!
Profile Image for Annette Williams.
1,206 reviews438 followers
December 11, 2022
I absolutely adored this book! Joi and Blue were the cutest. They’re both working at the mall for extra cash during the holidays. Blue is the mall Santa so, he’s always in costume when he and Joi interacts but, that doesn’t stop her attraction to him at all. A dare from her sisters plus a night of bar crawling sets Joi and Blue on a path neither of them see coming but, they definitely aren’t saying no to it. Y’all know I love me a hilarious group chat and the Pickett sisters did not disappoint. These ladies were hilarious! Mistletoe Blues was a hot and nasty holiday read but, it was also romantic and sweet. The chemistry between Joi and Blue was so hot. The family bond, the holiday traditions, the jokes, and the group chats were everything! And, the sex scenes definitely delivered! Whew! Mistletoe Blues is my first read by Bella Jay and it did not disappoint. I look forward to reading more of her catalog.
Profile Image for *Ebony I*.
1,425 reviews163 followers
December 16, 2022
A Mistletoe Connection

Joie and Blue were too cute ♥️

They were both working in the mall during Holiday season for extra cash. Blue was the seemingly sexy Santa that kept stopping by Joie's makeup counter. A dare leaves Joie heavy on Blue's mind and fate brings them back together outside of the mall. Their chemistry is amazing! Loved the flirting and how they didn't shy away from their connection. They spend hours together getting to know each other, drinking, and having fun and it only heightens their connection. Christmas was well represented throughout the story and made it a solid sexy Holiday Read. I would definitely read a follow up story about them.

They restored my faith in Holiday Books, because it was touch and go for a while there.
Profile Image for Qiana.
350 reviews64 followers
December 6, 2021
Have you ever had the hots for Santa? Well Johanna did, and it appears it was her destiny for Santa to make her a ho, ho, ho. Mistletoe blues was a cute insta-romance read about 2 mall workers making some extra holiday money. When the universe throws them in the right place at the right time outside of work, things heat up.

Bella Jay always delivers the cutest holiday reads and Mistletoe Blues isn’t any different. Short, cute, black romance book with a splash of sweet smut.
Profile Image for Jahda.
1,072 reviews327 followers
December 28, 2022
I enjoyed reading Joi and Blue christmas love story.
Profile Image for Dahyana.
695 reviews90 followers
December 22, 2021
Joie x Blue

This was such an entertaining read. We all have a friend like Joie. That one extrovert, shameless flirt friend. I loved her. Blue, aka mall Santa was just out here granting wish. Whether you're you're young or old. These two are adorable. Their chemistry was palpable. It was executed so well. The dialogues, the interaction between Blue and Joie was perfect. And ladies and gents, let me tell you how nasty these two were. They went and went and went at it. Joie wasn't shy or timid in the bedroom. Sis knew what she was doing. And it had all the holiday feels I love. Super fun read. The author makes it so easy to envision their HEA.
A+
Profile Image for Kema B..
Author 10 books230 followers
December 3, 2021
Still swooning…☺️In true Bella Jay fashion, this novella was short, sweet, funny and nasty. This author can write me a Christmas story ever year because she does not miss. It was the perfect quick holiday read to get you in the Christmas spirit. I’m greedy so of course I won’t more but Blue and Joie gave me everything in this short read. Loved it.
Profile Image for ariana.
240 reviews127 followers
December 15, 2021
rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
OH MY GOD, THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD!!! A BLACK MALL SANTA!? LET ME TELL YOU BLUE!? THE PRAISE KINK ON THAT MAN WAS IMMACULATE!! The chemistry between these two was so damn good! loved this novella so much!
Profile Image for Capri’sBookIsland.
377 reviews377 followers
November 30, 2022
Summary: Blue is a teacher that loves his job and kids but financially it just won't cut it. So he is working part time as Santa and in walks Joie. They have a playful banter during working hours until she sits in his lap after being dared and says "Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas, is to slide down your North Pole". Leaving him with his mouth open she disappears and plans to spend the holidays with her family. But when her sisters cancel and she ends up running into Blue at a local bar outside of his costume... Mistletoe's are not needed for kisses to be showered.


I loved this so much. Both of these characters were so well developed for it to be so short. The Christmas vibes, the chemistry, the banter, the smutty scenes, and conversations were a 10/10. Really happy I picked this one up for the start of my Christmas reading binge. Definitely a new fave. Can't wait to check out this authors other works.
Profile Image for Toya  Davis-Stokley.
2,591 reviews106 followers
December 5, 2021
Damn Bella! This was one hot, sexy, nasty and funny read, with a little bit of Santa! 😂 I loved the sisters' banter, and those dares were epic! Okay, Blue! Sexy Santa, loves kids, a teacher and a generous giver of the D?? Check, check, check and triple check!! 😇 Joie unleashed the beast with her Christmas wish, and Blue was just the man to deliver! Them scenes honey, whew! I am all in with these two, and am gonna need to see them again after the New Year! Great job! 👍👍👍
Profile Image for Monae Nicole.
Author 71 books192 followers
December 7, 2021
Cute, fun read

I loved Joie and Blue. There attraction was undeniable. I loved the jokes between them. And those steamy scenes 🥵. This book gave me all the good and nasty Christmas feels.
Profile Image for Stacy P.
98 reviews8 followers
December 11, 2021
This book was soooo good.
Sexy Santa I love it. A perfect quick holiday read 😍 I love Blue and Joie together. Must read
Profile Image for Lisette.
616 reviews43 followers
December 2, 2021
Perfect Christmas short

I'm cheesing so hard at how cute this story was. I loved everything about it. The occupations, the past mistakes that turned into blessings. The family bond and traditions. The Dare! The jokes. The lightheartedness. The heat. It was everything that made me excited for the season!
Profile Image for LaTosha Webber.
1,186 reviews72 followers
December 5, 2021
Merry Christmas to me

Oh Ms Jay brought the heat with this holiday hit. Before I started this, I was thinking I wanted a holiday romance without any drama and this hit the spot, just like Blue! Funny, flirty, and hot! I enjoyed ever minute of this book! My praise kink loving heart feels so full!
Profile Image for Khristina Cassanova.
42 reviews
December 31, 2024
Miss Bella Jay can write a good novella! First the details of the book itself with the names and the mistletoe mule icon next to the chapter names was very cute. Same pattern you seen in her book 12:01. I loved this cute and short Christmas story of Joie and Blue. Fast paced and the timeline was easy to follow. The two had chemistry from their part time jobs at the mall and it was cute to see how a dare that Joie’s sisters made her do led to an unexpected encounter with Blue. Who knew outside of his Santa outfit he’d be everything Joie imagined and then some. Loved how they ended up spending the night together doing the bar crawl. Even though a short story seeing how Blue casted no judgement when he learned more about Joie, it was touching to see. Would love to see their story continue.
Profile Image for Erika B..
Author 42 books110 followers
December 11, 2021
Mistletoe Blues

Awwwwww 😍 I loved this so much. This book gave EVERYTHING it was supposed to give 🙌🏾👏🏾 I absolutely loved Joie & Blue’s chemistry, banter, and 🔥🔥🔥 sessions!! This author showed out and it was amazing! Happy reading because you will not be disappointed 💖
Profile Image for 'The Book Queen'.
6,060 reviews118 followers
December 10, 2021
Lovely Holiday Treat

The story was a lovely holiday treat and super sweet. I liked the idea of this tale with its crisp execution. Blue and Joi, yes they made the spirits bright.
Profile Image for Alvina.
747 reviews24 followers
December 10, 2021
Gimme The Blues

Okay, so as I'm finding myself always stating after reading a Bella Jay book...it's a Bella Jay book so it AUTOMATICALLY gets 5 stars on just the dopeness (is that a word🤨🤷🏾‍♀️😏) of the author alone.

Now, to this way too short😉, yet packed so deeply, creativeness that I just read. Honey, Give Me All The Blues, All day and Night😏. I LOVED getting to know Joie and Blue. You got some humor, family, Love, Spicy Sex 😜, and grown people having grown-up issues, yet navigating this world with hopes and dreams of better things to come.

I usually start with the ladies, yet Mr. Theo, aka Mr. Blue, gets the shine first. One thing I love more than a nice, strong, intelligent, caring and funny chocolate man, is a Confident Sexual Chocolate Man. The character build up of Blue was so good. I loved it all. I like how he was so sure of himself and what he wanted. He knew he'd been feeling Joie and wasn't about to let her slip away from the bar without her knowing just that. I like how he was laid back and entertaining and loved kids and was about his coins, okay. I could go on and on, yet I was so thrilled to read about Blue and all that encompasses him.

Ms. Johanna, aka Ms. Joie was a breath of fresh air. A single mom whom sought more for herself and her son and was putting things in place for her dream business. I like that she didn't share her business ideas with others, yet felt comfortable enough to share with Blue. She liked him and that dare from her sister's was Hilarious 😂. I liked the relationship she had with her sister's; given their parental situation, things could've been different, yet they were all very close and funny.

Joie and Mr. Santa (aka Blue) had been checking for each other for a while, so I was glad that she stayed and spent Christmas Eve with him for the bar activities. They clicked and the chemistry was Electric. I was glad that Blue let her know that he was a Man whom not only would get to know her, yet her son too; erasing her fears that he'd back out once he knew about her son Evans.

Bella Jay does it again. Very fun read. Highly recommend. Then once you're done with this one...READ. EVERY.LAST. BOOK. SHE. HAS. You're Welcome 😉.
Profile Image for Melanin Book Lover.
269 reviews25 followers
December 13, 2021
Such a fun read

When Joie’s sisters dare her to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him exactly what she would do with his pole she couldn't back down, not knowing this particular Santa already had plans of his own for her. Blue never thought his part time mall job would put him in the direct path of a woman he cant stop thinking about. Only ever seeing Joie when he is in his Santa suite she doesn’t know what Blue looks like and for both of them that's part of the fun. Christmas Eve unexpectedly put them in each others path so Blue uses the mystery of who he is to spend a little time with Miss Joie.

This was such a fun read. Blue has definitely been added to book bae status, he was such a sweetie pie with swag. Blue genuinely showed interest in Joie and her interest. Joie had me cracking up, sis thoughts were on point. I loved their unofficial date night. The mystery behind Blue being Santa was hot and their chemistry was 🔥. I would love more of Blue and Joie.

While this read left me wanting more of these two because they were so much fun it was a complete story. This is a quick fun read that is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit. Bella Jay did that.
Profile Image for Nia Been Reading.
93 reviews43 followers
December 26, 2023
This was right to the point. Another extra kick before the new year or a good short to end the year off with. It has all the vibes. The smut was immaculate.

Blue was so sweet and rough ( when he needed to be 🤭 ). That man knew how to talk I tell you that. I loved him in the bar and obviously in his house 🫣.

Joie was the cutest thing fr. Ready to chase her dreams and just love life. Single mother coparanting with her sons father perfectly.

You can feel the heat from them just from reading this. I really loved the bar scene, had me kicking my feet like a school girl 🤣. All in all this was another perfect short in my book.
422 reviews2 followers
December 3, 2021
Fun Holiday Story

This was such a fun story! Joie and Blue's initial interactions were sexy and mysterious. That dare was hilarious and had Blue shook!🤣 Their second meet cute was adorable. I loved that they both just leaned into this and gave themselves over to having fun time that evening and an even better time that night!🔥 This holiday novella was just enough to leave me content knowing these two are at the start of something really good! Definite 5 ⭐️ Stars! s/n I hope we see more of Joie's sisters!
Profile Image for Stephanie.
292 reviews
December 4, 2021
Mistletoe Kiss 💕

Blueeeeeeee is baeeeeeee….he was nasty just how I like them.

Blue definitely met his match with Joie who I loved she was spunky, didn’t back down and knew what she wanted.

This author knows how to describes scenes so good, it felt like you was there. I was clutching my pearls throughout the whole book, the chemistry between Blue and Joie was off the charts.

Hopefully we get a book on the rest of the sisters and keep those dates coming lol🤞🏾I highly recommend this book you will not be disappointed!
Profile Image for Shades N Pages .
1,003 reviews29 followers
December 8, 2021
You want me to fuck you like you been naughty or nice?”


Bella Jay came through for me this holiday season by giving me Blue and Joie. Mistletoe Blues gave me life baby, I deserve it. I love air mystery behind the initial interactions between Blue and Joi. I feel it made their big reveal even more special. Blue checked a number of my boxes. He loves kids, he is funny, attentive and drops off top tier D! I mean, when are we getting married? I especially LOVED the dynamic of the sisters. Their dialogue and shenanigans are comedic gold. Can we say hot mess? LOL! I wanted so much more of them but the story worked regardless. Bella definitely came through with a bomb Christmas read. If you’re looking for a funny, lighthearted and sexy read featuring a Christmas wish and man who activates all your praise kink needs,read this story.
5 reviews
December 5, 2021
Romance for the Holidays

I just stumbled across "Mistletoe Blues" because I was looking for Christmas Romance stories and this story did not disappoint. My first holiday romance for the season, made me laugh and a smirk at the sizzle between Joie and Blue. Can't wait for the other sisters' stories and hopefully their mom's 👀.
Profile Image for Brandi Martin.
21 reviews5 followers
December 11, 2021
Perfect Christmas Novella!

Typically I’m not into Novellas I like to watch characters grow! However, I read this adorable book along with the group Hopeful Heartbreakers as it was chosen for our groups book discussion. To my surprise I absolutely loved this book from beginning to end. It was cute, funny, romantic and most certainly filled with holiday cheer! I see it says book 1 so I’ll definitely be keeping a look out for book 2!
Profile Image for Kesha Bee.
207 reviews
December 16, 2021
Sweet and sexy

Wow, I loved the chemistry and the dialogue between Blue and Joie. Blue was such a good character and is definitely in the running for new book bae. The scenes were so descriptive it was like watching a movie. Overall I definitely recommend this holiday short story and can't wait to read more from Ms. Bella Jay.
Profile Image for Whitney.
556 reviews81 followers
December 18, 2022
black Santa for the win

This was so cute. I love me a Black Santa and Blue is definitely top tier. The way Joie and about hit it off from page one, I knew we were in for a good time. Their chemistry was off the charts and I loved watching them move through the night on the scavenger hunt. Definitely a must read for the holidays
Profile Image for La’Cara Johnson.
139 reviews4 followers
November 27, 2024
Imagine being dared to do something and you end up running into the person you had to do the dare on. 🤣 This Christmas book was so cuties, just fun, grown and sexy. Johanna and Blue were so entertaining together and they were fully engaged with one another while sorting each out. I loved how intimate they were together throughout the read very nice read. Awaiting book 2! 4.5⭐️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews

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