I have been a fan of Jill Shalvis ever since I read her Heartbreaker series. Since then, I jump at every opportunity to read her books. Therefore, when the offer to read and review Mistletoe in Paradise appeared in my email, my response was an automatic yes. A point to note, despite this being a part of the Wildstone series, it can stand on its own.
Set on a boat, sailing the Caribbean Sea, Mistletoe in Paradise provided me with a sweet, second chance, friends to lover’s romance. In this story the reader met Hannah, her step-father Harry and James.
Now Hannah and James have been friends since childhood and as the years went by their feelings for each other developed beyond friendship. However, losing someone close to them both coupled with their thirst for different things in life led to them drifting apart. A few years later, Hannah is a workaholic with no social life and no time for relationships. She lives for her work, and so she was far from amused when her mother’s actions placed her in a position of delivering bad news to Harry, while spending time with him on his boat for the holidays. To make the situation worse, James would also be on the trip, not what she had signed up for.
I had a wonderful time with this novella. I laughed, and I teared up watching James and Hannah trying to deny their feelings and realising that it was an exercise in futility. Time and distance in no way dimmed the spark which existed between them.
I admired Hannah for her dedication to her job, but she needed to find some balance. I loved the fact that they communicated with each other and in the process managed to resolve the issues that initially tore them apart. The question is though despite coming to terms with their past, will their relationship survive the current situation given their different lifestyles?
Fans of the author will enjoy Mistletoe in Paradise, and for readers who enjoy short and sweet romances, then you need to get yourselves a copy.
| Story Evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Plot | |
| Characters | |
| World Building | |
| Writing Style | |
| Pacing | |
| Cover | |
| Enjoyment | |
| Ending | |
| Overall: |  |
[bctt tweet=”Mistletoe in Paradise by Jill Shalvis delivered a short, but sweet and swoony friends to lovers, second chance romance. #romance #secondchance #friendstolovers” username=”TtlyAdd2Reading”]
About Jill Shalvis
- Phantasma by Kaylie Smith - April 14, 2025
- Her Last Cry: Pamela Fagan Hutchins - April 7, 2025
- Hitting It: Kathy Lyons - April 4, 2025
That cover is pretty amazing, and I’ve been a fan of Shalvis for years too. Hugs, RO
I’ve only read one of her books but I liked it. I need to read more from her at some point.
I love her work.
I’ve only read one of her books but I liked it. I need to read more from her at some point.
I like that they are able to communicate and get their past resolved. Fun that it’s Christmas on a boat even if she has troubling news for Harry.
I could use a piece of paradise at the moment! I’ll have to check this one out.
I could use a piece of paradise at the moment! I’ll have to check this one out.
I adore Jill Shalvis – how did I miss this one?
I can understand why you would adore her. I hope you get the chance to read this one.
I can understand why you would adore her. I hope you get the chance to read this one.
I haven’t read her work in ages. Loved her books. This looks fab and I love the cover.
Yes the cover is lovely.
I haven’t read her work in ages. Loved her books. This looks fab and I love the cover.
Yes the cover is lovely.
i think i have enjoyed her books before too so will look for this one..
Shalvis + second chance + friends-to-lovers — I am so there. I have had a longstanding love of Shalvis’ books too, and will pick them up without even reading the synopsis. Have you read the new Wildfire book yet? So good!
No, I have not read it as yet. I received an ARC and will be taking part in the tour.
No, I have not read it as yet. I received an ARC and will be taking part in the tour.
Shalvis + second chance + friends-to-lovers — I am so there. I have had a longstanding love of Shalvis’ books too, and will pick them up without even reading the synopsis. Have you read the new Wildfire book yet? So good!
A Christmas story a little on the different side! I like it. Thanks for providing such a good review!
You are welcome and thanks for stopping by.
I love this series but somehow missed out on this one. I am going to need to get my hands on it sometime soon. I am so glad you enjoyed this one.
I love this series but somehow missed out on this one. I am going to need to get my hands on it sometime soon. I am so glad you enjoyed this one.
I don’t usually do Christmas reads, but I really like the sound of this one.
[…] [9 Dec] Mistletoe in Paradise by Jill Shalvis ★★★★ […]