Trouble with Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis

Trouble with Mistletoe (Heartbreaker Bay, #2)

by Jill Shalvis

If she has her way ...Willa Davis is wrangling puppies when Keane Winters stalks into her pet shop with frustration in his chocolate-brown eyes and a pink bedazzled cat carrier in his hand. He needs a kitty sitter, stat. But the last thing Willa needs is to rescue a guy who doesn't even remember her ...He'll get nothing but coal in his stocking. Saddled with his great-aunt's Feline from Hell, Keane is desperate to leave her in someone else's capable hands. But in spite of the fact that he's sure he's never seen the drop-dead-gorgeous pet shop owner before, she seems to be mad at him ...Unless he tempers "naughty" with a special kind of nice ...Willa can't deny that Keane's changed since high school: he's less arrogant, for one thing-but he doesn't even remember her. How can she trust him not to break her heart again? It's time to throw a coin in the fountain, make a Christmas wish-and let the mistletoe do its work ...

Reviewed by Lynn on

4 of 5 stars

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My confession: This is my first Jill Shalvis book. I know; a shocking admission!

Willa Davis has built up a successful pet shop from scratch by diversifying to match the needs of her pet eccentric customers...Pet Weddings anyone? She's successful, part of a close-knit group of friends and single! Life is good until a customer comes into her shop, triggering a painful memory she'd rather forget. 
"A guy stood on the other side of the glass, mouth grim, expression dialled to Tall, Dark and Attitude-ridden." 
Only, she can't make him sorry for his mistake if he can't remember who she is, can she?

Keane Winters is desperate. With his aunt's precious cat in tow, he goes to the South Bark Mutt Shop hoping they'll board this 'pain in the ass' he's been asked to temporarily care for. 
He's delighted when the owner is drop dead gorgeous, but left perplexed when she appears angry with him...why?

When two stubborn people meet it's going to be a fascinating and bumpy ride and Ms. Shalvis keeps you constantly entertained with humorous, laugh out loud funny dialogue as the protagonists attempt to overcome their individual issues about themselves and each other. They are beautifully complimented by an array of equally intriguing characters whose own stories I'm interested in reading about too. The pre-Christmas time-line conjures up lots of seasonal feel-good feelings as well as highlighting unfortunate challenges faced by those less unfortunate than ourselves.

I love the San Francisco setting, and after visiting the city many years ago enjoyed revisiting and remembering the city I have memories of as I became embroiled within Willa and Keane's story.

A special shout-out to Petunia 'Pita' for her excellence as a cat with attitude and her ability to run circles around her foster human! As a cat lover and owner, Pita's portrayal sums up all I love about cats.

So, If you are looking for a Christmassy, feel good book heavily embellished with fairy-lights, this is one for you!

***arc generously received courtesy of Avon Books via Edelweiss+***

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 20 August, 2016: Finished reading
  • 20 August, 2016: Reviewed