Trouble with Mistletoe (Heartbreaker Bay, #2)

by Jill Shalvis

[whisperingchapters]

This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.


Willa is the most adorkable character I've ever read! She owns a pet shop where she doesn't mind to watch them during the day. I loved that she's so dedicated to these animals. Keane needs someone to watch his great-aunt's cat, Petunia, so he goes to Willa's pet shop. Willa recognizes Keane but he doesn't recognize her at all and she's really mad and hurt about this. As the two keep running into each other and clear the air, the romance starts to grow in such a sweet way that I was adoring.

Willa is unlike any character I've read. She celebrates Christmas like no one else, she loves to wear aprons or shirts with Christmassy quotes, she's so witty, too! What had me feeling for her so deeply was the fact that she didn't think she deserved love. She had been in the foster care system on and off until she turned 18. From then, she has wanted to show foster teens that they are valuable. She even employs a few of them at the shop. The friendship between Willa and Rory, one of the foster teens and employee, was so sweet. It felt like a tight sister relationship to me. Willa was there for Rory in so many ways and this showed how big Willa's heart is.

"Ohmigod," Rory said, staring at their newest cash register display. "Is that a rack of penis headbands?"
"No!" Willa laughed. "It's reindeer-antler headbands for dogs."
Rory stared at her.
Willa grimaced. "Okay, so maybe I went a little crazy—"
"A little?"

Keane was so manly with the sexiest smirk ever. He's also very independent and very romantic. I thought Keane would be an arrogant character but that wasn't the case at all. He's so kind-hearted, it would make my heart so happy. He went above and beyond for his great-aunt, someone who hadn't ever had much contact with. But she was family and he knew she needed someone to help her. He never hesitated in lending a hand to her and I just loved that about him.

Keane and Willa were perfect for each other. They both have kind hearts, wanting to give so much from them to everyone they believe needs it. I love how patient Keane was with Willa. She had her cold moments where she would push Keane away, thinking she was way too broken to be in a relationship. The way she went after him had me aw'ing and wanting to hug her.

There's a coffee shop/bakery that speaks to my soul. I mean, the coffee's come in themes. One specific coffee is named "It's Way Too Early for Life's Nonsense". I freaking love this! I would so go to a coffee shop that has names like these. It'd be perfect, too, so that way I'll be trying new coffee flavors every day.

I love the friendship in this story! They are even stronger and more present than in Sweet Little Lies. The ladies in this series are hilarious and I so hope they were real. I would never have a dull moment in my life with them as friends.

"I'm on a diet."
"Me too," Elle said. "It's a fuel diet. I eat whatever's going to fuel my soul, and tonight that's going to be pizza."

"Men are just flawed, is all. And that's a good thing."
"How?" Willa asked. "How in the world is that a good thing?"
"Hello, have you never heard of makeup sex?"

Not only were the friends hilarious, when they needed to be serious and be there for one of them, they would drop everything they had and would all go together to help the one in need. When I say all of them, I mean all of them. I love that the friendship is something that feels so real in this series. They are all grown-ups, but still like to have fun and tease each other just as friends would.

They loved her like family should. Unconditionally. Without question. No doubt. No hesitation. No qualifiers.

Overall, The Trouble with Mistletoe is filled with witty conversations that will have you laughing, an adorable romance, and a strong presence of friendship. I'm already so eager for the following novel!

I received an eARC from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.