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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**Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review**
“Mistletoe in Paradise” is written by Jill Shalvis, and it is part of the Wildstone series. It can be read as a stand-alone novella. It features James Webber and Hannah Banfield.
For me, novellas can be hit or miss just because it’s not as long as a normal book, and it either rushes the storyline or there’s not enough development. This was a quick read for me. I would have loved to have seen a full length story for these two characters, but Jill Shalvis did them justice in this novella.
James and Hannah were childhood friends who always did everything with James’s brother, Jason. Without giving away the storyline, James and Hannah drifted apart, but they are brought back together a few years later by their families on a yacht trip.
But this yacht trip isn’t a regular yacht trip. What is Hannah’s mom making her do? Why is Hannah reluctant to do it? Can James and Hannah work out their differences and have their happily ever after?
Jill Shalvis did a wonderful job with Mistletoe in Paradise”! Looking forward to her next story!
Wildstone Christmas Novella!
I’m absolutely in love with the Wildestone world, the books are so stand alone that it’s not really a series but rather this delightful little world, and now we get a Christmas novella!
Hannah and James have loved each other since that were preteens but a few tough life lessons tore them apart. Now they’re together again at Christmas on a tropical get away and the mistletoe is making those old speaks fly.
Jill Shalvis funny and heartwarming Mistletoe in Paradise is the perfect Christmas novella!
I received a complimentary review copy of this book but all opinions are my own.
This was a sweet and emotional novella that allows the reader to sail away from the struggles of this year and just enjoy a nice story about two childhood friends, who were also one-time lovers, find their much needed happily ever after without losing themselves in return. Jill Shalvis has a knack for writing sweet Christmas stories, and while this may not be a traditional one, it sure is sweet! James and Hannah both lead very different lives now as adults, but when brought together again by her stepdad for their Christmas sail to paradise, they find they still have one very big thing in common, they love each other. But will that be enough for these two wonderful people, one who lives in Wildstone and is very career focused and one who has been travelling all over living the life his brother wanted, to figure out how to merge their lives and be together? Loved the ending!
Wonderful quick read to get into the spirit of Christmas! Hannah and James have known each other forever, their moms are best friends so much that their families took a Christmas cruise on her father’s boat. Hannah followed James and his brother on high adventures as the grew but that all stopped after the death of James’ brother their connection blew up. Years later Hannah is going on this year’s trip as a present to her father as well as having to deliver a special message to him but she never expected her childhood crush to show up looking way too good. Can memories bring back their connection, are their lives ready for something more? Great read with humor, wonderful characters and feels!
Mistletoe in Paradise (ebook) by Jill Shalvis
Hannah and James were best friends and secret ex-lovers are back together for a family Christmas cruise. There are so many feelings in this story, a life lost, laughs, tears, angst, family drama, steam and heartache….all getting us to a HEA. Jill always can put me in the head and heart of her characters. I always feel what they are feeling and it makes me part of their story. Loved this book.
I loved this second chance romance between Hannah and James. The setting and backstory were quite unique. Hannah also has a major hurt she has to share with her stepdad that plagues her on her Christmas journey. Hannah and James are both wounded souls that need to resolve issues for themselves before they can experience true happiness. I loved the ending of this 5 star read from Jill Shalvis.
What’s better than a short and sweet, second chance novella? Make it a Christmas story and set it on a boat in the middle of the Caribbean. Hannah and James will warm your heart as they find their way back to love.
I read an advanced copy of this book
I always look forward to reading a Jill Shalvis book.
Mistletoe in Paradise didn’t disappoint! This book was a sweet, emotional holiday story. Hannah carries the world on her shoulders and doesn’t trust that anyone sees her as being enough. James is still reeling from the loss of his brother and Hannah. Fate brings them back together on the annual Christmas week cruise on her stepfather’s boat. Pain and loss are no match for true friendship and love. This one pulled at the heartstrings while providing Shalvis’ trademark humor.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Hannah and James were childhood friends and that friendship grew into young love. Like so many young loves, life gets in the way and they ended up going their separate ways. Six years later, through some maneuvers and small lies Hannah’s stepdad managed to get both of them together on his yacht. After a few awkward minutes, the years seemed to melt away and they were children again and so it begins. This book brought back happy memories of my first love and I bet it will for you. It is so good I have read it twice already. You don’t want to miss this book!
James and Hannah were childhood friends. Their families each year their families would travel to the Caribbean on Hannah’s dad’s boat. Things changed when James lost his brother. James and Hannah went their separate ways, James working with his dad and trying to build his own adventure business. Hannah off to college to become a lawyer. Years later Hannah the now workaholic went to spend Christmas with her dad on his yacht. She had some bad news to deliver to her dad. Not knowing James was also going to be there, needless to say she was a little surprised. Can they rekindle their spark they had when they were younger? I love all Jill Shalves’ books. This is no exception. You will get ducked in like me. I couldn’t put it down.
I want a yearly trip to Paradise…
The one thing I can count on when reading a Jill Shalvis romance is that her characters are not bloody idiots. Well, they are not complete idiots. Her characters use their brains to work out problems, communicate (eventually), and don’t let their hormones overrule their common sense. Even if there is a bit of silliness, most of the times it has been in their pasts and they’ve subsequently outgrown acting first and thinking later. In Mistletoe in Paradise, both Hannah and James needed this second time around to get things right. Maturity has made them see things in a different light and their devastating loss, while still painful, isn’t a fresh open wound.
This story was not at all what I was expecting. When I was introduced to Hannah and James, I thought it was all about the workaholic being forced into close proximity with her ex who also happens to be a lothario. I absolutely loved that I was completely wrong. Hannah works extremely hard but that’s because her dedication to her job can save lives. James seemed like he was a bit of an adventure junkie who put having fun ahead of work. It just so happens that James does have fun while working … and in his spare time (which he has little of), he helps run the family business. These two have known and loved each other for a long time but they don’t really know each other or trust that their feelings are more important than their jobs.
As short stories go, this one did a good job of leaving me satisfied. The storyline was interesting, the characters were lovable, and there was enough heat to ‘see’ their connection. I think my only complaint is that I would have loved 5 minutes with Hannah’s mother for James (OR SOMEONE) to give her a bit of a gobful. That woman was a piece of work and while Harry (Hannah’s step-dad) was a bit dodgy, he had a big heart and at least he admitted to Hannah that he did her wrong.
It’s a Jill Shalvis so of course, I enjoyed it. Her stories are just so easy to escape into and I’m always left wanting more. If you haven’t tried this author yet, Mistletoe in Paradise might be the perfect introduction to her wonderful stories.
Stacey is Sassy, received an advanced copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.
Wow. What an emotional and at times heart wrenching second chance love story. Hannah and James had so much hurt going on in their past but I really loved how they tried to work through it all together to try to make their love work this time around. Plus the setting was just so much fun. I’d love to spend Christmas on a boat sailing in the tropics. That’s my kind of vacay. Throw in a hot sexy romance too and I’m in heaven. A very satisfying novella to read.
In “Mistletoe in Paradise” by Jill Shalvis we meet Hannah and James, who until recently have spent their family’s annual holiday together for as long as they can remember. But this year is different, each of them has stepped on the boat with secrets they need to tell. Before they can do this, they each need to figure out what they need, not only from each other but from themselves.
A nice quick read with some humor and an ending that makes you believe that if you put your phone down for even a short awhile you might finally see what is in front of you.
I received an ARC from the author for my honest review.
Hannah Banfield is back on her step-dad’s boat to deliver her mom’s news. What was she thinking. Seeing James wall on board was the last thing she expected.
James Webber has been running and now back on the boat he sees the one he let get away.
I loved how these two realized what they truly needed was each other!
I love reading Jill Shalvis. Somehow, she manages to find the heart in every situation. Whether breaking or mending, Shalvis always gets to the heart of the matter. Mistletoe in Paradise is no exception. Hannah and James swamp emotions in their chaos. From humor to heartache, each finds a way to frustrate, aggravate and illuminate. All in the name of love. What happens when the heartbreak you can’t forget brings you the love you can’t live without? Fabulous storytelling.
This emotional charged novella is a holiday in paradise great read. After reading this book I kind of wished I took my Christmas vacation in the Caribbean each year. This was a fun, sexy, emotional charged second chance romance. I cried, I laughed and just enjoyed paradise while reading this novella.
*I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily giving my honest opinion*
Hannah is obsessed with her work, every minute she has is spent working, while everything else in her life suffers. She claims she doesn’t have time for love or relationships, when in reality she just doesn’t want to make the time. Love is a mess she just doesn’t need. When her family informs her they will be spending the holidays on the the family boat she is devastated to say the least, as she has work to do, and old hurts to avoid. Then if that isn’t enough to deal with she learns her old flame and family friend James will be in tow for the vacation.
Being stuck in tight quarters with him is bound to be difficult… for heart and patience!
Mistletoe in Paradise is a short, but very sweet love story that will squeeze your heart in all the right places. When former lovers and childhood friends James and Hannah are reunited on a family vacation for the holidays things get a little tense… they have history and a lot of leftover old sparks that are bound to stir up trouble for them. I really enjoyed watching this match find their happily ever after, Hannah was feisty and didn’t give James an inch, she really made him work for her time and attention… it was quite the heated little battle, and I loved every minute of it! Mistletoe in Paradise comes brimming with everything necessary to put a smile on your face and leave your heart nice and toasty! Highly recommend!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
Mistletoe in Paradise a Wildstone novella by Jill Shalvis was a quick, fun, and romantic read. Hannah (Smalls) and James (WK) was on the Therapist (yacht) for their annual Christmas trip. Harry is Hannah’s stepdad and she has some bad news for him. Her Mom wants a divorce, and James wants to get out of his father’s business and concentrate on his own business. These two grew up together along with Jason who was James’s brother that had passed away.
Hannah was a workaholic campaigning for individuals rights for medical care because of Jason. These two had always crushed on one another but never did anything about it until stepdad Harry leaves them stranded on an island.
Loved this novella but I want more about these two. I try not to read any Christmas books until November but not in this case!
I did receive this as an ARC for honest review!
I shouldn’t be amazed but each book that I read authored by Jill Shalvis leaves me ….well, amazed. The depth of emotion that she can garner in a novella is assuredly a talent. With each new read, I fall in love with a new book boyfriend. I love the heroines so much that I am not jealous – not even a little bit. I don’t want to give up spoilers but the situation between Hannah and James is really one of those of twists of fate that would happen in real life. The tragedy in this story will make a reader feel real physical pain for the characters. You can not NOT turn the page until there are no pages left to turn. (Horrible grammar but hard truth). There’s a reason she has her own shelf on my bookcase.
Quick Novella read. I love that the roots are Wildstone, but the setting is on a boat in the Caribbean. I also love a Christmas story. This was over the top Christmas, but enough sprinkled in to set the scene. Can’t wait for the next full novel in Wildstone