It doesn’t reinvent the holiday romance wheel, but sometimes the wheel you know is the one you want. ~ Under the Covers

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Want a holiday book that wraps you in warm blankets of tradition, snow, sparkle and adorable kid antics? Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses by Jenny Hale hits that vibe hard. It’s about a single mother, a mansion-sized holiday job, and a brooding workaholic who might just rediscover Christmas thanks to his interior designer. If you’re ready for all the cozy feels, this one’s got you.

What is Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses about?

Single mom Abbey Fuller has shelved her interior design dreams to raise her son Max. Then she lands a huge decorating job at rich businessman Nick Sinclair’s mansion for his family’s festive visit. As Abbey’s warmth and Max’s charm crack Nick’s icy exterior, she wonders if her dreams can finally come true, and if Nick might realize that Christmas magic is real.

Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses by Jenny Hale Book Review

Don’t we all have our comfort type reads and what we expect to find in a holiday book?  There’s something about a laid back and sweet romance with a wintery setting that just warms my heart.  Bonus points if there’s a cute kid.  And I think Jenny Hale has done that with CHRISTMAS WISHES AND MISTLETOE KISSES.

This reads a bit like a mix of women’s fiction and romance.  You are definitely going on the journey with single mother Abbey Fuller and seeing things from her perspective.  She’s been struggling to raise her son the best she can while putting aside her dream of becoming an interior designer until an opportunity falls on her lap that she can’t pass up.  And that also puts her in close proximity with rich and recluse workaholic Nick Sinclair.

I liked how they were both good for each other.  Even if Abbey would get on my nerves about some stuff because it seemed unreasonable or unrealistic to have certain expectations, especially when it came to work.  But I think Hallmark movies have ruined my questioning skills when it comes to holiday romances.  I just go with the flow and I want everything to turn out ok and tied with a neat bow.  Even if that doesn’t seem like it could realistically happen.  So if you are like me, then you’ll have no problem finding your happy place with this story.

If you are looking for a sweet read and a bit of slow burn romance, with plenty of holiday traditions and an adorable kid then give this one a try.

Hallmark Movie Adaptation

Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses by Jenny Hale was also adapted into a Hallmark Channel original movie, and it totally captures the cozy sweetness of the book. Starring Jill Wagner and Matthew Davis, it’s everything you expect from a holiday romance: twinkle lights, warm glances, and a small-town romance that unfolds with perfect seasonal timing. I probably even liked the movie more than the book. I even included it in my roundup of the Top 12 Best Christmas Romance Movies of the Last Decade, so if you love the book, the movie is a must-watch.

Final Thoughts

So here’s the take: if you want a read that makes you sigh, smile and believe in second chances (even if they arrive a little neatly packaged), Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses by Jenny Hale delivers. The pacing is gentle, the setting is festive, and Max steals the scene. It doesn’t reinvent the holiday romance wheel, but sometimes the wheel you know is the one you want. Grab it with cocoa and see if it becomes your new go-to for winter reads.

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