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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*3.5 Stars*
After his brother’s death, James’s eagerness for life takes him all over the world, seeing adventure and fun. Hannah didn’t have the most stable of childhoods so steadiness is pretty important to her. While the two of them have a connection that goes back years, their paths have been taking them in different directions. But, meeting again now, their feelings may prove strong enough to find a solution that works for them both.
Shalvis’s newest is a short and sweet second chance romance. Being a novella it is a little short on pages and these two do have troubles that probably could have used a little more attention, but overall I felt satisfied with how everything is resolved.
(I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)
The perfect holiday read that will take you on a trip to the Caribbean on a sailboat, especially since many of us are stuck at home. A second chance romance between Hannah and Jake, with a little matchmaking from Hannah’s stepdad. Both with heartbreak in the past but are they ready to open their hearts again?
Plenty of family, romance and laughter will make this the perfect read in one seating. This is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone.
Hannah and James grew up spending alot of time together because their mothers are best friends but now they are all grown up and haven’t seen each other in a very long time. They are brought together to spend Christmas on Hannah’s stepdad’s boat like they’ve done many times in the past. They are attracted to each other but well it’s just all complicated. Plenty of laughs when Hannah’s stepdad plays matchmaker and leaves them alone on an island for a bit to talk and try to work things out. They both realize the feelings they had for each other in the past are still there but there’s lots to work through, not only with each other but talks they each need to have with their parents. Ahh being an adult and it’s challenges! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Another well-crafted story by Jill Shalvis – this novella delivers a full story with a second chance that will leave your heart full!
I just love when a story surprises you, and Mistletoe in Paradise did just that! Both James and Hannah have misconceptions about each other, and I love how I was taken along for the ride with these two as they discover that the person they thought they knew so well and had all figured out was so much more. There’s a tragic past and some dysfunctional family dynamics, but when Hannah and James are forced to face their pasts and learn who they each have become as well as they whys, all of the reasons of why they shouldn’t be together seem to fade away – now if they can just figure out how to make what they both want happen.
Jill Shalvis always delivers a heart-felt story with characters that are relatable and have depth. Even though this was a novella, this felt like a full-length novel with a fully developed plot. I haven’t read any of the other books in this series (yet!), and this story easily stands on its own.
Another wonderful read from an author I would highly recommend to anyone!
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book I received from the author.
As much as I enjoy novellas I’m often sad that they aren’t full length novels, and Mistletoe in Paradise is no exception! James and Hannah are childhood sweethearts reunited for the first time since a tragedy. This was a well done element that brought out a lot of emotions. There is also a meddling step father – whom I loved for all his meddling. Hannah also has a secret that will ruin the trip and enough work that she can’t seem to take a break. The secret made me sad for the step dad, but things worked out as they should. I’m glad Hannah also realized that work isn’t the end all be all, and she needs time for herself. Highly recommend this short holiday read!
Looking for a holiday novella to get you in the spirit of Christmas? Search no further. Mistletoe in Paradise is a sweet, second-chance romance, and in true Jill Shalvis style, she brought us real, relatable characters.
Hannah and James shared a past childhood together, and I loved that they got another chance to be something more to each other. I think the fact that they knew each before made this novella work so well. Usually I feel novellas rely heavily on instalove, which I’m not really a fan of, but Shalvis nailed this one.
I got a sweet, sexy romance as well as healing for some family relationships, and I’m looking forward to returning to Wildstone soon.
***I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy generously provided by the author.***
Quick read, but hooked me from the start.
I was invested in this story from the very beginning.
“The kind of blast that…brought both the best and the worst memories of her life slamming back into her.”
Hannah and James were BFF’s along with James’ brother, Jason growing up. Then Hannah and James were briefly more and then they weren’t.
Both are scarred from their pasts and past relationship. And then they find themselves thrust together, stranded for the most part, and old feelings surface.
There were several layers to their story and although this is a novella and a quick read, I was clamoring to get to the heart of what happened in their past, how they were going to navigate their present and if they were going to get to a future together.
This is an enjoyable read and a great escape for a short while.
I voluntarily requested and read an advance reader copy.
Merry Christmas! This story is a perfect second chance Christmas story. Hannah and James are reunited for their first Christmas in years. As always, Jill Shalvis writes snappy dialogue that is full of humor and tugs at the heart. Her characters are always flawed in realistic ways that make them so relatable. The book made me want to read it fast to know what happens but also to read it slow so I could make it last longer. The story is a great present for us all this year! I received an advance copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What a heartbreaking, yet heart mending, Christmas, 2nd chance love story filled with lessons in love, forgiveness and letting go. Loved it I volunteered an honest opinion for this book.
Amazing characters and a twist on Christmas traditions. A wonderful Wildstone connection. Spending Christmas on a boat in a warm climate is an interesting tradition. The close quarters make reconnecting with others possible. Many people can relate to Hannah’s desire to have stability in her life. Having a higher education lead to a career that gave her financial stability and a way to make a difference for others. James lives everyday with fun and adventurer the goal. He even runs an adventure company. He does learn that no one can read your mind and that you need to communicate to others so that they how how you feel. They both learn through communication that the job choices they each made were based on the same events that happened to them. Hanna and James just took very different routes from those events. Falling back in love means supporting each other’s passions.
I am not always a novella reader, because I feel like they are not long enough to accurately tell the story. I am usually wanting more. Thus is not the case with this novella, though. This is a quick, wonderful read. I started and finished it in one day! I am read everything Jill Shalvis writes, though.
Mistletoe in Paradise is a second chance romance. Hannah and James are childhood friends. They haven’t seen each other in a very long time when Hannah steps foot on her stepdad’s boat for a Christmas cruise. She is there to deliver the divorce papers from her mother and is dreading it. She thinks it will be just her stepdad and her on the boat, but surprise…James shows up, too.
Hannah and James have some unresolved feelings between them. She thinks he wants her to change for him, he thinks she works too much. It was wonderful seeing them discuss and work through their issues. I love it when the couple actually communicates.
Whether it be humor or heart, Jill Shalvis knows how to write it.
Thank you to Jill Shalvis for an advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.
I am a fan of romance novels (and other genres also) and specifically of Jill Shalvis – having read approximately a couple dozen of her books. When Mistletoe in Paradise came out – I just knew I had to grab it for an afternoon of enjoyment.
Mistletoe in Paradise is just the book to start off my uptake of Christmas themed books (and movies if truth be told) leading up to the holiday season. The story is a novella in the Wildstone series. We are introduced to Hannah and James – two individuals who have a past but must come together for a holiday themed yacht adventure. While not a fan of novella’s in general – I did enjoy this one – though I did want more!
Reading the prologue did it for me, drew me right into the lives of Hannah and James. I quite enjoy when the main protagonists start their relationship knowing each other in childhood – and yes – they did crush on each other back then . As adults, they have drifted apart. While the vacation starts out as a family vacation, both Hannah and James are soon on the boat without James’ parents or Hannah’s mother – only Harry (Hannah’s step dad) and Sally. They will have to interact more! Possibly even work out some of their interpersonal issues?
As the journey ensues and as expected, James and Hannah talk and work through some of their baggage. It is both energizing (because you just know – or at least hope – that they re-connect in a romantic way again) and a bit of a heart ache (they must deal with the residual feelings surrounding a tragic event in their past). I was riveted by their adventures when they were on an island with no way off (curtesy of Hannah’s step dad) for a short while. Sure was one way to make them address their issues!
Ms. Shalvis has a way of writing that draws this reader in so that one is hard pressed to put the book down until it is finished. My only criticism is that it was too short! But alas – that is the nature of novella’s.
Mistletoe in Paradise is an enjoyable second chance Christmas themed romance novel with an interesting storyline and characters with an interesting past. Additionally, it was nice to read a Christmas themed book without snow – but white, sandy beaches and warm temperatures :).
*I would like to thank the author for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
Loved this story of missed chances.
Hannah always spends the holidays with her stepdad in the Caribbean with their close friends. This year her mom has given here a job to do while there.
James is all for a holiday with close family and friends. The one that got away just happens to be there, too.
Loved these two rekindling something they thought they lost.
Sweet, emotional second chance romance. Mistletoe in Paradise is about friendship, family, priorities and love. Nice, quick holiday read.
Hannah Banfield and James Webber and their families always spent a week together on a Caribbean vacation at Christmas time. Twelve years later, they’re back, but they’ve grown up and gone their separate ways. Is a true reunion possible with all of the baggage between them?
I loved the idea of spending Christmas in the Caribbean and I was rooting for Hannah and James from the beginning. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
An entertaining second chance romance between life long friends, Hannah and James. As children they were friends, as teens it was more though they were both set on their own paths and too immature to compromise. The death of his brother caused major ripples in their friendship and set them apart. Her stepdad has traditionally taken the family on his boat and this Christmas these two will find themselves rediscovering each other. It’s pr0bably too short but with Ms Shalvis’s books I always want more anyway. A very well written and fun read, wonderful characters and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Charming in Paradise!
Hannah, James, and their families are utterly charming! A little funny, a little sexy, and a lot romantic, this novella set aboard a boat is the perfect little holiday book!
This novel is short and sweet. The jist of the story is communication and priorities. Combined those with commitment to loved ones as well as work and you have the basis for this story. Lots of personal challenges enter into the story some dealing with fear, but the characters seem to figure it out with the help from family. I received this as an eARC.
This is a sweet, touching, second chance romance about childhood friends Hannah and James. Throughout their youth their families got together during Christmas , cruising in the Caribbean in Hannah’s step-father’s yacht. Six years ago they spent a night together, but each had a different goal in life, and went their separate ways. Neither letting the other one know that their hearts had been broken.
Now they are back in her step-father’s yacht for another Christmas cruise. But though each has grown professionally they are struggling . One has to tell their father they will not continue to work for them, and the other one is hiding themselves in work and have news for their step-dad.
Aside from the plot, it’s also a story about how the one’s childhood will affect the individual as an adult.
Also, that love and families are always evolving.
And lastly, that no matter where in the world one is, the one you love is your “ home base”.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
This is an interesting story of old crushes and love. The characters are interesting and loving. Hannah and James have some issues to solve with their families and some misunderstandings between themselves but I love the end. I enjoy reading this book. I received an advance reader copy in exchange of my honest review.