The Thing About Mistletoe Kisses

by K. Leah

Year after year, I’ve watched couples fall in love at the town gazebo. After all, it’s smack dab in the middle of town and in direct sight of my family’s Christmas tree stand. I’ve seen my fair share of kisses under the mistletoe, but I’ve never been on the receiving end of one.

When a series of unfortunate events prevents my dad from running the tree farm this season, he hires Rett Edwards to step in. Rett needs a job, and my dad needs help.

For someone who grew up in this town the same as me, you’d think he would appreciate the tourist attraction and smile once in a while. But he’s cold as ice, and I’m making it my mission to melt away his grumpiness.

Genres: Christmas, Contemporary, Christian

ebook

First published December 1, 2023

About the author

K. Leah grew up in the South and likes her tea sweet and coffee strong. Faith and family are what matter most, and she wears many hats, including being a children’s pastor’s wife, travel volleyball mom, and full-time marketing coordinator.

She lives in North Carolina with her husband and three children. When she’s not working or driving her daughter to volleyball, you’ll likely find her reading or listening to a book.

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Reviews

[Monique Collazo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first K. Leah book and I absolutely LOVED it!! I’m so happy I got the ARC of this book.

Rett is guarded and serious and swears he will never fall in love again. Enter Stella. Happy, joyous, and loves running her family’s Christmas tree farm. When Rett starts working for Stella’s family, he can’t help but fall for Stella. Little by little she starts breaking down his well put up walls and sees Rett for the gentleman he truly is.

This is a story about love, family, keeping God at the center of all you do and it is beautifully written.

I did not want to put this book down till I was finish.
Sweet and swoony, I did not want to stop reading.

[Toni Shiloh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this was my first book by K. Leah and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[B.R. Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet christmas read. Loved the family dynamics and could picture the tree farm perfectly. The romance was a slow, tender burn.

[Jaycee Weaver]

So sweet and fun! I really love K Leah’s style. The characters are great together, and the story is filled with holiday fun and magic.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a charming Christmas book! The Christmas tree farm made the perfect setting to get the reader into the holiday spirit. I really enjoyed these characters. Rett was the grumpy, wounded, mmc who decided he was never going to fall in love again. Stella, with her sunny disposition, big smiles, and positive outlook slowly won him over. It was so sweet to watch their slow burn romance unfold and I enjoyed the dual POV and knowing what they each were thinking the whole time.

The faith elements felt realistic to the story and not forced, which is always nice. I also liked the healthy family dynamics that were portrayed in this book. This was my first K. Leah book and I’m looking forward to reading more of her books.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Storm Shultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this sweet Christmas book! The faith elements, sunshine/grumpy, and Christmas tree farm were exactly what I needed for this season 🎄🥰 Rhett’s grandparents were adorable and I’m a sucker for cute elderly people who tell you to stop messing around and get the girl 🤣 honestly both Stella and Rhett has super sweet families, and I enjoyed getting to see a couple who are involved with each other’s families.

(Minor spoilers?)

I really liked that Rhett and Stella established their relationship (Rhett asking Stella’s dad’s blessing was so sweet) before they kissed. I hardly ever see that, and it was a breath of fresh air! Their kiss was also perfect; it’s definitely a slow burn (which I like) and makes sense for the story.

[The Squeaky Clean Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet Christmas romance hit the spot perfectly. I loved our veteran main male character who has old school manners and such an honorable heart.
I love our female main character who is wholesome and happy and has fantastic talents.
Between the two of them there is plenty of swoony moments as they learn to work together on the Christmas Tree farm together. I loved that they both had issues to work through, but that they both kept their hearts open to potential.

I loved the family relationships in this book and the healing that took place. I loved the funny moments and all of the Christmas themes and things that they did together.

Reading this book felt like cuddling up with a cup of hot cocoa and watching a heartfelt movie. It was everything you need in a Christmas romance.

[Wren Woodland · Rating 5 out of 5]

180 transformation from Mr Grumpy Pants to Mr Smiley Flirty.

I loved seeing this story play out. Rett finally has the courage to open up his heart and Stella holding him close to her heart for so many years. Rett has been blindsided by major catastrophies in a single year as a teenager and escapes to the Marines to regroup and grow up. He thought he had left behind his family and hometown for good and his heart had huge walls protecting him. Stella loves her small town and the Christmas tree farm. This is a Hallmark worthy, feel good story that leaves you smiling.
Clean. Christian themes.

[Joyce Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rhett is back in River Ridge NC. He left after high school and joined the military. His parents were killed in a car accident his senior year. He and his siblings went to live with their grandparents. He asked his high school sweetheart to marry him and she left him at the altar. He has closed himself off. He's back because his sister is having a baby. His family is determined to see him start dating again. He does not ever want to be hurt like that again. Stella's dad/family runs the Christmas tree farm. Dad has fallen and hurt his back. They hire Rhett as the farm manager until Chris is back on his feet. Rhett is determined to not let Stella's smile and cheery personality break down his walls. As they work together, he realizes that she is chipping away at his walls whether he wants her to or not. So sweet.

[Happy Reading Watching]

The Thing About Mistletoe Kisses
(It's A Love Thing Book 1)
By K.Leah

Pub Date: Dec. 21st

If you enjoy...

❄️Small Town Stories

🎄Sweet Romances

❄️Grumpy/Sunshine Trope

🎄Christmas/ Holiday stories

❄️Christian Romance

🎄Childhood Crush

❄️Fast-paced stories

🎄Realistic characters

I recommend checking out this sweet story. I also recommend all of K. Leah's books. You always get a beautiful love story. Also, characters that you can relate to and see them get their happy endings. ♡

Thank you to K.Leah for sending an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
All thoughts, opinions, and posts are my own.

Book Synopsis:
"Year after year, I’ve watched couples fall in love at the town gazebo. After all, it’s smack dab in the middle of town and in direct sight of my family’s Christmas tree stand. I’ve seen my fair share of kisses under the mistletoe, but I’ve never been on the receiving end of one.

When a series of unfortunate events prevents my dad from running the tree farm this season, he hires Rett Edwards to step in. Rett needs a job, and my dad needs help.

For someone who grew up in this town the same as me, you’d think he would appreciate the tourist attraction and smile once in a while. But he’s cold as ice, and I’m making it my mission to melt away his grumpiness."

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all of K. Leah's books. What I love most about her books is that they are light hearted, clean romances. Her newest book, The Think About Mistletoe Kisses, did not disappoint. This is the perfect book to read anytime but especially during the Christmas holiday. A Christmas tree farm is the perfect setting. It had a very small town feel to it. I loved seeing their journey played out as they slowly feel in love. This is a great read. I can't wait for her next in this series.

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my voluntary review of a copy I received from the author.

This was a sweet opposites attract story set primarily between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

All of the characters were realistically done. The story's pace was at a believable rate whether they were “going slowly” or “picking up the pace.”

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a romcom reader. I read funny books that make me laugh, sigh and swoon. But every once in a while, I read one that makes me smile, sigh and swoon. Like this one by K Leah. Its not a romcom but it is the sweetest Hallmark-esque story I've read in a while!


If you want a sweet holiday romance, full of Christmas trees, light flirting, families and holiday cheer, read this book!

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start by saying how cute is the cover page of this book? This is a sweet Christian Christmas book. I can read Christmas books all year long. I love this book. This reminded my of grumpy/sunshine. Let’s just say he had a good reason to be grumpy (I would’ve been grumpy too). The main characters are Stella and Rett. Stella is such a happy person while Rett has had a tough past so he is closed off. They are amazing together. Stella helped him break down his walls and be happy again. I love that this book didn’t have drama in it. Stella’s family and Rett’s family are amazing. I was happy to see a lot of them in this book. If you love Hallmark Christmas movies I think you will love this. I have so much more I would love to write but I don’t want to give any spoilers away. This is a book I will read again especially when I am in the Christmas mood. I am hoping for more books with people from this book. Maybe Stella’s sister Ivy or Rett’s brother Brock?

[Megan Doubrava · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, Hallmark type Christmas book. Small town, Christmas tree farm, Christian romance. I enjoyed the setting and characters.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sweetest Christmas romance! It is like reading a Hallmark movie. I love the characters and setting.

[Janice Sisemore · Rating 4 out of 5]

The thing about mistletoe kisses

I enjoyed Stella and Rett story. I loved Stella’s family and how supportive they were of her. I loved how hard working Rett was with helping in the tree lot. It was a very interesting story.

I received an advanced copy of the book from the author. This book review is my own opinion.

[Joi Heston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I'm this book is the sweetest love story. Perfect book for the Christmas season. It shows that true love still exists.

[Sunny.Honey_Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story! At first I was hesitant because the reviews claim no drama, no third act breakup (which I don’t mind) and was wondering how this would play out…

Boy am I so glad I gave this story a chance! It’s beautifully written and I loved watching Rett & Stella fall in love. I enjoyed the dual POV because Rett has trauma that had him closed off from everyone. This was a warm cozy, gives you all the happy feels type of read ☺️

I was blessed by how the author incorporated the faith content, it was done in a tasteful way that didn’t feel forced or cliched.

This was my first book and definitely want to read more!

[Susan Beaulieu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice Christmas story

It was a nicely paced story with a nice premise. Many folks try to shut themselves off after they lose people they love.

[Barbara Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this one! Watching Stella and Rett navigate their feelings for each other. This one also had strong Faith elements.

[Priscila · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Thing About Mistletoe Kisses was such a beautiful story!! It grabbed me from the first page and never let go! This was my first book from this author and it certainly won't be my last. :) I loved the Christian faith reminders sprinkled throughout the book. Stella and Rett's story was really sweet, and I loved his growth, especially since he starts as a grump (but with reason.) He certainly has had a rough past and needs to process some things, but it made it all the more special to see how good and patient Stella was with him. They're imperfect yet perfect for each other, and I loved watching both of them in action at the Christmas tree farm (him as the manager for the season, and her as a helper/photographer/social media and marketing expert.) The pace of their relationship was perfect, and I loved how sweet and gentlemanly he was with her. And that first kiss? Definitely worth the wait. 😉 The secondary characters were the best, since it mostly consisted of their families, and I especially loved his grandparents (gotta love a grandpa that tells it like it is, lol.) I can't wait to see whose story it's going to be next, but I'll be checking out more of this author's writing for sure! Completely recommended for anyone looking for their next great Christmas read. ~ 5 stars

[Angeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
What a sweet and cute book! I have greatly enjoyed K. Leah’s books and I was excited to read this new one. The Thing About Mistletoe Kisses it the first book in K Leah’s new series and it was an enjoyable Christmas read
Stella and Rett were cute together. I liked how easy they were able to connect with each other. They were sweet together and helped each other be better. Stella was trying to find her place in the world. Rett was struggling to be back home and figure out what to do with his life.
I liked how Stella and Rett connected before they fell in love. Their romance fit their story. I liked the small town feel of the book and the low stress vibes. I was able to connect with the characters and I wanted to read about how they would work out their differences.
I would definitely recommend The Thing About Mistletoe Kisses. It was a lovely read. The characters were engaging and I was drawn into the story. The Thing About Mistletoe Kisses is a clean Christian romance


I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.

[maiaisreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

#BookReview: THE THING ABOUT MISTLETOE KISSES by K. Leah

While the grumpy-sunshine trope isn't new, the enchanting Christmas tree farm setting captivated me. As Stella and Rett navigated the challenges and joys of running the farm, their engaging conversations made me feel like I was right there amongst the trees and watching the sun rise with them.

Despite his initial gruffness, Rett was a dedicated, dependable force on the farm. The Spake family and I found him endearing. Scarred by past hurts, Rett kept love at bay. Yet, Stella's radiant spirit finally melted his icy walls. The things he did for Stella were so sweet.

Both their families added warmth and humor to the story. They were fun and supportive. With its gentle pacing, this story beautifully portrayed the journey of letting go and accepting love's gifts. It was a heartwarming story of love.

Rating: 4.5 ⭐
Pub date: December 21, 2023

Thank you to the author for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hadn't read any books by this author before. I really enjoyed this one. The author did such a great job with her characters, the plot and the setting. I would love to read more by her!

I loved Stella. She works hard at her marketing job and at her family's Christmas tree farm. It was really interesting to kind of have a behind the scenes look at how one of those would be run. And Stella is just all around great! It was fun to see things through her eyes.

Rett has been hired by Stella's family to help out with the Christmas tree farm while her dad recovered from a fall. I loved the way he blended into the family. Except he was a little off with Stella. The reader understands why that is, but Stella doesn't. But he lets her in more and more as the story goes along.

I loved reading this book! I loved watching the journey these two went on with their families around them. It was such a great read!

I was sent an e-copy of The Thing About Mistletoe Kisses from the author. All opinions are my own.

[Rhondia Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, my! This book brings on all the feels. Rett has suffered great emotional pain in his life. He ran for a while but has returned home, still at loose ends and not sure what’s next. But God has a plan. Stella is one of the happiest people around. Life might not yet contain all she hopes for but she is trusting in His plan for her. When their lives intersect this grumpy man and this sunshine girl are at odds. Only God could see a feature. This is a great holiday romance that I thoroughly enjoyed over a few warm days in May. Read it!

[Holiday · Rating 5 out of 5]

-This book is Holiday Approved! -( I’m Holiday lol)


The tropes for this book are…

💌 Christian Romance
💌 Small Town
💌 Grumpy/Sunshine
💌 Set in Christmas time


This was my first book that I’ve read of K. Leah’s and it was amazing!



-💬: My thoughts about the book-

I love, love, LOVED this Christmas romance! and just in time before a Christmas Day! It’s always a fun time reading books that give you that cozy feeling and this book did just that!


I liked how Rett and Stella’s relationship was both realistic and heart-warming! Rett was the typical grump BUT with a bit of a twist in my opinion! He had reasoning for his grumpiness and I really liked seeing his layers of grump unfold with each interaction he had with Stella! Also, the faith content was beautiful! Seeing Rett’s faith getting rejuvenated by Stella’s joy was so adorable! and the community of River Ridge was just perfect!


You guys have to give this book and read and let me know your thoughts about it!🥰🫶

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mistletoe can be awkward and disappointing, but you won’t experience those sentiments after reading The Thing About Mistletoe Kisses! This sweet, wholesome romance will wrap you up this holiday season with its Southern charm, multi-generational family dynamics and Christmas tree farm setting. Walk alongside likeable & relatable characters as they experience second chances, redemption and fulfillment of long awaited dreams!

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not overly deep, but good character development and just a sweet story! The ending was a bit rushed, but the story was well written and I'm enjoying reading this author! I'll definitely be looking for more of her work!

[Amy Anguish · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet Christmas story that doesn't leave you worrying about how it will end. Not much conflict to keep you guessing, but lots of fun tension to find out when the couple will actually get that mistletoe kiss. Light, sweet Christmas romance. Loved the Christmas-tree farm setting.
I received an ARC from the author, but all opinions are my own and freely given.