Book Review: Must Love Mistletoe by Christie Ridgway

Must Love Mistletoe

Author: Christie Ridgway

Series: Holidays #1

Release Date: November 28th, 2006

Publisher: Harper Collins

Age: Adult

Bailey Sullivan can't stand Christmas, even though her family's business is a store specializing in the perfect holiday. But now her hometown's chief supplier of rooftop Rudolphs and treetop angels is in danger of going under—it's up to Bailey to save the shop.She has it all planned: She'll arrive on December 1 and be gone by Christmas. Plus there's always spiked eggnog to ease the pain. But "Humbug" Bailey's not the only one home for the holidays. Finn Jacobson—legendary local bad boy-turned-Secret Service agent and Bailey's long-lost high-school sweetheart—is once again the boy next door. Only this time he's all grown up, and the sparks are flying faster and hotter than ever! Bailey believes in true love about as much as she believes in Santa Claus. But as the holiday draws closer, she's starting to think about one thing she'd like to find under her tree . . .

Bailey is a 20 something lawyer who hates Christmas. Which is funny, because her family runs a Christmas store. But when her parents fight, it's her who has to take care of the store. She can deal with it, until Finn, her ex-boyfriend, is staying with his family in the house next door.

It's not like she isn't still in love with him, right? After all, she was the one who left him, ten years ago. But the spark is definitely alive, because when she sees him, he isn't just her ex bad boyfriend but a super sexy secret agent.

Finn isn't the bad boy he used to be. He's grown up, working and taking care of his grandmother. He wasn't expecting to meet Bailey at her house....and he definitely doesn't want anything to do with her. She broke his heart ten years ago.

But their reunion is unavoidable. They still like each other, and they are like magnets. Bailey doesn't want to hurt him (and her) again, but she can't stop being curious about this new Finn, and Finn can't stop wanting her.

Must Love Mistletoe is a great romance. At first I thought is was going to be light and easy, but I was surprised to find realistic characters dealing with their drama. Bailey is afraid of caring about someone, including her family. And Finn, still with a broken heart, is dealing with his almost dying trauma and taking care of his sick grandmother.

But not because of these details it's a sad story. It's just realistic. And the author manages to combine this issues with funny jokes and jovial personalities that makes you laugh and wanting to read more.

I loved the feeling of this book. It was definitely Christmas, but not exasperated. The romance was cute and a little naughty, and I felt as if the characters were not just falling in love but also growing up.

The end was sweet but not so "oh, we are the perfect family because it's Christmas!", which I liked. Bailey's and Finn's story not just romance, but is including family and personal issues.

Overall, I loved Must Love Mistletoe. It's cute, funny, naughty and heartwarming...perfect for this season!

More about this book at www.christieridgway.com, Goodreads, Amazon, The Book Depository.