Under the Mistletoe (Lucky Harbor #6.5) by Jill Shalvis

Rating: 4 stars

Published: December 4, 2012

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Available at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble

Synopsis: JUST ONE MORE KISS

There’s no place like home for the holidays. And the Lucky Harbor Bed & Breakfast is bursting with festive lights and good cheer. But for Mia, Christmas is turning out to be anything other than merry and bright. Her recent break-up with her boyfriend Nick has made her return bittersweet. But then a surprise arrives, when Nick follows her to town bearing gifts-and asking for forgiveness.

Nick grew up without a family of his own so he’s overwhelmed by the love that Mia receives from all her relatives, gathered together to celebrate the season. Under their watchful eyes, Nick finds earning back her trust the hardest thing he’s ever had to do. If he succeeds, he will receive the greatest gift of all, Mia’s love for a lifetime.

Review:  A sweet holiday story about going after what you want, letting go of your past and moving on.

Mia is a student is New York. She is looking forward to surprising her boyfriend Nick with tickets to spend Christmas at Lucky Harbor and attend her aunt’s wedding there. She knows it’s sudden and that she may be rejected but she loves Nick and would love nothing more than to spend this time with him. Nick is a hard-working young man who is determined to make something of himself. His childhood was rough without a family of his own, so he doesn’t know what being family and how to make one work. He enjoys Mia’s company and even loves her, but he is clueless when it comes to making a deeper connection.

I enjoyed this story very much. I loved how Mia matured from when I last saw her in book 2. She has grown into a very smart, determined young woman who knows what she wants and goes for it regardless of the consequences. I admired that about her. And although I wanted to shake some sense into Nick, I could not help but understand where he was coming from. He never allowed himself to connect with anyone before Mia and when he was put on the spot his first instinct was to run.

I also liked visiting with the family. They were just as great as always and I was glad that I got a chance to see how they are getting along now. They were always a great set of characters and seeing them protecting Mia while still letting her be independent was good to see too. They all rallied around her, but didn’t interfere in her decisions and that just endeared them even more to me.

I appreciated the way Jill Shalvis went about this story. Especially the fact that Mia did not fall at Nick’s knees when he came for her. I was glad that she put him in his place and spoke honestly to him and I loved Nick’s reaction. He was determined to make it up to her and make her understand just how deep his feelings for her were and how much she meant to him. And when he did it was beautiful and it felt real.

The writing was very good. Exactly what I have come to expect from Jill Shalvis. Although this is just a short story it was full of emotions and tender moments between the main characters, which made their getting together more believable. The romance was exceptional and the feelings brought to the page added to the enjoyment of the story.

All in all, a great holiday read to remind you that it is worth fighting for what and who you love and that letting go of past demons is the only way to move forward in life.

I received this title through NetGalley and would like to thank them and Grand Central Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this short story.

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