Problem Number One – Getting There Old childhood friends each fly separately to join their families on what’s been an annual holiday themed yacht adventure. Secret ex-lovers, Hannah and James are determined to make the best of things… snarl, it leaves them stuck together for four days, making Hannah’s already problematic trip a whole lot harder to face. Especially because she comes bearing more than just gifts…
Problem Number Three — Falling In Love (again)
As the former lovers try to make the best of the Christmas snafu, they soon realize that the best things in life can’t be planned and sometimes love is sweeter the second time around.
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I love that we get to return to Wildstone, but this takes place in Paradise. These two were childhood sweethearts, so the fact that they got a second chance was great. I love the way Shalvis writes and how relatable her characters are. There was definitely some heartbreak, but it was on the lighter side. This story was one that I got sucked into and read in one sitting. I adore holiday reads and this was a great way to start off my holiday reading.
A quick holiday novella about a second chance and what’s important.
I enjoyed seeing Hannah and James reconnect with a little interference from step dad Harry. Ms Shalvis does an excellent job of making these characters relatable in a very short time frame.
This story also touches on key points, like what’s really important in life and how sometimes we have to bend to make relationships work.
While this is set away from Wildstone, that is where Hannah is from. I am hoping these two will pop up as secondary characters later!
I love Christmas stories. I love second chance at love stories. Mistletoe in Paradise is perfect for me.
James and Hannah, in love as teens. Hannah is now tasked with dropping off paperwork to her stepfather that will change his life. Guess who just ‘happens’ to show up? Well James of course! This is supposed to be a holiday cruise like the family’s had taken when Hannah and James were younger, except no one else makes the departure! Manipulation by Hannah’s stepfather allows Hannah and James to have some time together so they can talk about what happened long ago.
A very sweet story with a predictable ending. Fast paced since this is a novella and we need to get to the happily ever after. Turn up the heat, grab a Mai Tai or some rum punch, and sail away to the islands for the afternoon!
Mistletoe in Paradise is a fun Christmas novella. I liked the characters & the setting, and I enjoyed the sweet second chance romance between Hannah and James.
Mistletoe in Paradise is a wonderful book by Jill Shalvis. I have yet to read a book by Jill that I didn’t love. This is a fun quick read to get us in the Christmas spirit. This is a second chance romance between Hannah and James. They are childhood friends who have some things from the past to deal with. A trip to the Caribbean is perfect for all of us since most of us are stuck at home
This is a short novella that is part of the fantastic Wildstone series (though you don’t have to have read the previous stories to appreciate it) though it does not take place in Wildstone. This is the story of Hannah and James….their past, their present and their future. Hannah is a workaholic who gets tasked with delivering some not-so-great news to her stepdad for the holidays. She has agreed to spend the holiday with him, on his boat and learns once she arrives that James and his parents will be joining them.
Hannah and James have a long history but haven’t seen each other in years. They both bring a ton of “baggage” onto the boat and during their voyage, finally start to take down their walls, truly talk to each other and start to become friends (and more!) again. They didn’t leave on the best of terms so there is a lot for them to work through – past and present – and the story flows very well as they deal with their issues (both with each other, their current situations, their jobs, etc) that you find yourself easily engrossed in the story.
Can they get past their history and find love a second time around? Once you pick up this short and sweet story, you will not want to put it down.
This novella was a great way to lighten my mood after reading a heavy book. Loved the two friends reconnecting after years apart and finding a way to have a future together.
Loved this fun novella from one of my favorite authors. It was a good, satisfying and quick read that got me in the holiday spirit. Hannah and Jame’s story was a lifetime in the making and though there were serious moments, it was a funny, uplifting, and sweet story!!
Jill Shalvis is a very gifted writer. I adore the worlds she creates. They are full of love, friendship, love and just so magical. When I read her books, it as if I am there in that world and not reading a story. She puts all her heart and soul into her work.
Mistletoe in Paradise is a perfect example of Jill Shalvis gift. I love Friends to Lovers and Second Chance stories. Hannah and James are just that. Both in love with each other torn apart by circumstances in life and reunited for a yearly family trip on a boat. Hannah and James have struggles to overcome and a past to heal from. The chemistry they have is undeniable.
Mistletoe in Paradise is phenomenal. I laughed and had many heartswooning moments. The struggles were realistic and relatable. The secondary characters were very supporting and charming. From page one I was captivated. The words danced off the page and into my heart forever. Mistletoe in Paradise is the perfect Holiday read guaranteed to warm you on that cold night. I loved everything about this story. So sweet and lighthearted. Don’t just take my word grab your own copy and see for yourself why everyone loves Mistletoe in Paradise and Jill Shalvis. Thank you Jill Shalvis for the perfect Holiday story. Just perfect and enchanting.
3.5 stars. This was a pretty good novella. Mistletoe in Paradise is part of the Wildstone series, but can be read as a standalone. This is James and Hannah’s story. James and Hannah’s families have been best friends and have vacationed together since they were young kids. The two have a long, complicated history with a dash of tragedy and heartache. This Christmas they find themselves together for the first time in a few years with their families on the family boat. Hannah and James have a lot to work out about their past misunderstandings and hurts. But they are able to come together, heal and admit their love for each other.
I thought this was a good story, though it was definitely angsty. Still, I liked it. I really liked the tropical location and the friends to lovers vibe. I enjoyed that Hannah and James grew up together. They were very sweet once they got together. I was happy that they were able to move on from their pasts and be happy together. This was a good, quick, easy read and it had a cute ending.
Overall, this was a sweet, Holiday themed read with some added drama. I enjoyed Hannah and James’ story. I look forward to more from this series and Ms. Shalvis in the future.
Great read, especially during the Holidays. We meet Hannah and James, who were childhood sweethearts. Tragedy and personal feelings kept them apart, but thanks to Hannah’s stepdad they are going to get a second change. This is a fast read that will leave you with a smile on your face and a warm feeling in you heart. There is depth in their story, which I wasn’t expecting, but sure felt relevant in today’s word. Hannah is all about work, work, work, while James knows you can work and play. The two together are a perfect combination. Enjoy! Quote I absolutely LOVED from this book: “Babe, I’ve loved you for all these years. That’s not going to change now. Or ever.”
I really loved this book. I am a fan of second chance romance storylines. Hannah and James were such wonderful characters and I enjoyed seeing them reconnect. It is another Jill Shalvis keeper for me.
Mistletoe in Paradise is a Wildstone novella by the talented Jill Shalvis. I love a good Christmas novella and Jill gave me what I wanted. A second chance love story about childhood friends who haven’t seen each other in years and now they are trapped on a boat. Together. James and Hannah didn’t leave things on good terms years ago and now that they are stuck together they finally get to understand what happened. Forgiveness happens right along the old spark being ignited. They realize they never stopped loving each other and it’s time to fight for what they want. I loved this story! It’s short, sweet and a little sexy. Perfect read for the holidays.
Another great story by Jill Shalvis! She doesn’t play around when it comes to novellas…she gets to the point and you never feel as though the story is rushed!
Hannah and James were childhood friends that their families always took a vacation together on Hannah’s stepdad’s yacht. Here she is years later and on the Christmas cruise to serve her stepdad with divorce papers from her mother. She thought, at the time, it was best that she give him the news. However, now that she’s on this boat she finds everyone isn’t on the boat, it’s just her, her stepdad and James.
Can she just serve the papers and avoid James? She loved him when they were teens, but so much has happened. It seems as though those feelings are coming back to the surface being near him.
I love second chance romance stories! Jill Shalvis is always spot on with these stories!! A wonderful quick read!
Problem Number One – Getting There
Old childhood friends each fly separately to join their families on what’s been an annual holiday themed yacht adventure. Secret ex-lovers, Hannah and James are determined to make the best of things…
Problem Number Two – Getting Stuck.
When everyone but Hannah and James gets held up in an airport snarl, it leaves them stuck together for four days, making Hannah’s already problematic trip a whole lot harder to face. Especially because she comes bearing more than just gifts…
Problem Number Three — Falling In Love (again)
As the former lovers try to make the best of the Christmas snafu, they soon realize that the best things in life can’t be planned and sometimes love is sweeter the second time around.
Wonderful 2nd chance romance. Enjoyed Hannah and James story, beautifully written. Their past definitely shaped them who they had become. Loved every page of their story.
A second chance romance with heart that will leave you with all the feels. It’s sweet but touches are some hard truths for Hannah and James. Their love and chemistry is palpable. I love that the story gives you so much but that it’s not long.
Jill Shalvis is the Queen of a holiday novella! Let’s be honest — it’s hard to introduce a new couple, give a satisfyingly complete back story and get them to a believable HEA in the amount of words a novella allows … but Shalvis does it, and she does it very, very well!
In MISTLETOE IN PARADISE we meet Hannah and James — childhood friends, former secret lovers, holders of lingering feelings. A holiday boating tradition between their families brings said feelings to the surface and as snafu after snafu places them alone together way too much, Hannah and James have to face the anger, pain and loss they have buried throughout the years.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick holiday read full of love, laughter and all the feels!
This was a great book. I enjoyed the backstory with Hannah and James and getting to know the two of them a little better. Very interesting that when they were both older, working, and needing a little direction in their lives, the universe comes together where it’s only the two of them with her dad and his friend on his boat ‘The Therapist’ which the name says it all. While I enjoyed the festive setting for the sbook, there were a few serious parts to this story. I’m glad that James and Hannah were able to talk and put the past behind them and I totally loved the ending. It truly was a happy ending for everyone.
I love reading novellas, because when written well, you get a full story in a fraction of the time. Leaving more time to read more books! Ms. Shalvis wrote a wonderful, fully satisfying story in Mistletoe in Paradise with a couple worth cheering for.
Hannah and James pick up right where they left off, even as many years and many hurt feelings have come and gone. They both try to fight the attraction and in Hannah case, hold on to those old grudges, but whether it’s their forced proximity or the magic of the Caribbean waters, fate has another ending in mind for them.
Great couple, great story and a great addition to not only my holiday reading but my catalogue of favorite Jill Shalvis books!
4.5 stars rounded up to 5! I really enjoyed this return to the Wildstone world. I love second chance romances, especially set around the holidays. I really liked this story and enjoyed both James and Hannah as main characters. Now I am craving more Wildstone! Thank you to the author for my review copy.