The Trouble with Mistletoe: A Heartbreaker Bay Contemporary Romance – Second-Chance Love Story, Happy Ever After

I love the story line the book follows and characters that are so interesting and very funny at times. Like a box of chocolate, you just can’t stop 😊

3.5 stars — I’ve been wanting to read this one since it came out last year, and was so excited when I snagged a copy on sale (not to mention a paperback copy). It was definitely a delightful Christmas romance, but it started stronger than it finished for me.My one major problem with the book is that I ended up getting tired and confused with the constant forward and backward progress by BOTH Willa and Keane. I wanted to see consistent growth, but it felt like 1 step forward, 1 step back over and over and over. When one would get their crap together, the other would lose heart/get scared/doubt and the cycle would begin again. I don’t mind it happening, but it happened about 2 times too many, kwim? Once or twice, fine…it does take people time to grow and change. But at a certain point I was ready to throw in the towel on these two. Which is honestly too bad, b/c I really enjoyed their story otherwise!They were both very likeable characters, and both very damaged in their own way (hence the long road towards trust and love). I loved how their pasts were kind of similar in that they both felt without love and safety, and they learned to cope in much different ways. I loved the way Willa collected her strays, and tried to be for others what she wanted for herself (particularly with the girls she rescued and employed). And as an animal lover myself, I loved the way she couldn’t resist any animals that came her way. And I loved they way Keane couldn’t help but love so many people in his life, even as he told himself he was emotionless…from his Great Aunt, to Petunia/Pita, to his staff, to, of course, Willa.And they had great chemistry. While I did hate the forward and backward movement of their relationship, I do like how the relationship progressed otherwise…it made every stage very believable. And I LOVED how much time we got with the two of them together. So many times in romances it’s kind of wham, bam, thank you ma’am, and I’m not talking about the sexy times. This felt more…natural or something. Occasionally it made the book feel long, so it was a bit of a mixed blessing, you know?One other time thing I was a bit disappointed in was the resolution of the high school stuff. Maybe it was my own expectations, but I expected it to play a great role. It was an undercurrent in the first half, but then it just kind of resolved fairly easily and that was that. So it kind of seemed pointless and unnecessary in the end.The thing that made this book stand out above the rest, despite these few little annoyances for me, was the amazing cast of secondary characters. Some books just feel like cast books, if that makes any sense. And this was definitely one of them. I absolutely ADORED how many varied and oddball characters there were in this book. They were all hilarious and all very different. I loved that they *both* had such great people in their corners, I genuinely felt the love each of these characters had for the other. I love when our heroes and heroines actually have other strong relationships going for them. And I can’t even tell you how many times I laughed or just smiled like a big loon at their antics, whether it be Keane with Sass and Mason, or Willa and her tribe. I’m genuinely curious about the other books in this series, I want to see all the HEAs. I am a bit sad knowing that the likelihood we’ll get Haley’s book isn’t very high…who knows, maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised.And speaking of secondary characters, can I just give a shout out to Petunia/Pita? I love when an animal plays an important role in a book, and they don’t just become a plot device. Her attitude towards Keane made me laugh so hard, and she really helped show the reader what Keane was going through and how he was struggling…perhaps in a way we wouldn’t have seen otherwise.So yeah…solid Christmas read. Heck, solid romance read despite the season you’re in. But it did make me feel festive.

Return to Heartbreaker Bay once again for The Trouble With Mistletoe, a story full of the craziness of really good friends, a sense of self-made families and that completely awkward moment when you discover that yeah, you really can fall in love and make it work.Willa and Keane had a past, sorta – except that Keane totally didn’t remember it. That alone should put him in the “”men are dogs” category, except Willa really likes dogs more than Keane at the beginning of their story. But, truthfully, the guy kind of grows on you. Really, it’s difficult to keep a straight face with a completely hot guy carrying a bedazzled pink cat carrier with an ongoing feud, or war, with his aunt’s cat… and the cat is winning, but you knew that would be the case. That thin line between love and hate pretty much sums up Willa and Keane’s beginning, and Keane and Petunia’s (Pita) relationship for certain. That spark of attraction is hard to miss, even if each is trying desperately to do so.Willa and Keane both had troubled childhoods, each in completely different ways but still that sense of being abandoned by your parents for whatever reason never truly goes away. It has shaped them, given them issues that aren’t easy to overcome, and perhaps gave them that “I want this but I’m afraid of this” attitude that gets them both in so much trouble. It won’t take long before you see through the shields they both put up to see the real person that is in hiding.I had such fun with their story. Love isn’t the easiest of emotions, although we certainly wish it were. Watching Willa and Keane work through their individual issues, and deal with the other’s as well is an emotional journey with a few pit stops for laughter, tears and some sexy good times. I love this style of series where there is a community of friends who make up the entire series, and we get to know them a little bit more with each story. Friends rarely stay in the background, especially when they’ve got your back and Willa’s friends are no exception. I’m enjoying getting to know them all a bit better with each visit I make to their world.If you enjoy a love story full of emotions, some difficult to face, really good friends and a continuity to relationships in a series – then you’ll love The Trouble With Mistletoe. I would highly recommend this story and the series to any Romance reader. I always feel like I’m stepping into Finn’s pub and catching up with old friends, and when a story can give me that comfortable feeling I’m going to stick with it all the way.I own a Kindle edition of this story.

The Trouble with Mistletoe by Jill ShalvisHeartbreaker Bay #2 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ So happy to be back with this crew of friends! They are all awesome together. Willa is such a caring woman that had a wonderful way with animals. I loved her sassy wit and how she kept Keane on his toes.Keane was a strong lead and a great pairing for Willa. I really liked that he seemed to realize what he wanted before Willa did and how he was still pursuing, yet waiting for her at the same time.I got lots of laughs out of this book, the secondary characters always win me over and I really can't wait to read the upcoming books in this series!!!Original review posted at: [...]

Jill Shalvis is the author who can make me smile, sigh, cry, and even laugh out loudly within one book. I can always count on her and her books never disappoint me. That just happened with The Trouble with Mistletoe again.I was looking forward to the second book in this series impatiently and I can tell I got what I had expected. I loved Willa, she was strong, funny, and very sweet despite her past. How could she not be when she loves animals and her friends a lot. She fights for them and for her dreams.Keane (sigh) is another hero I could not help falling in love with. He is hot and strong of course, and has a big heart. See? You have to love him.What I loved about this book most is this group of friends. How they stick to each other, the love among them is very strong. I cannot wait for the third book with Elle and Archer in it.And as always I also loved Jill's sense of humor: Willa's love for decorations, Keane's feelings towards his aunt's cat. I started to cite scenes from this book to friends so that they also know how funny and sexy this book is.I can only recommend this book when you need a really good story and you are not against laughing a lot.* I received an advanced copy of this book from edelweiss in exchange for an honest review *

I'm not one to usually read romance novels but this one I just could not put down. It had me laughing out loud from page 2. It's quirky and fun, the main character is relatable and easy to like as she humorously stumbles through her days. I finished the book in 2 days, I just couldn't put it down!Would have given 5 stars but near the end the book lost its glowing quirkiness that was so bright in the first 3/4. It was a little disappointing that it turned out to be just a generic romance ending after the beginning set it so far apart from the rest in the genre.Still would HIGHLY recommend to read! A solid 9/10!

Jill Shalvis never disappoints! She's one of my favorite go to authors and had never failed me. Laughter.. tears... they're a guarantee with this author. I couldn't wait to read Willa's story... one of her best!

it was funny and romantic I enjoyed it from start to finish now I will look for more jill shalvis books