Review: Lights, Snow and Mistletoe Anthology

The Lights, Snow and Mistletoe is a short-release collection of eleven holiday-themed novellas from some of our favorite authors!

Dylan Allen | Catherine Cowles | Helena Hunting | A.L. Jackson | Adriana Locke

GET IT HERE!

Review

This is a fantastic collection of stories – each of them tied in to the author’s series – either a spin-off set within the same world, or a bonus story for characters that we already know. It’s a fantastic way to revisit favorite series, or perhaps get a taste of a new world you might like to dive into.

I only read the stories that link to series that I have already read, but I’ll definitely revisit the others when I can!

All for Love by Dylan Allen

A Symbols Series novella.

Christmas in Cedar Ridge by Catherine Cowles

An almost-second-chance, enemies-to-lovers romance, this is a great little story full of snark and sizzling chemistry. Very loosely linked to the Lost & Found series (set in the same town, and some inconsequential character cameos), it can be read as a standalone.

Noah and Savannah are heading to the small town of Cedar Ridge for Christmas. She is meeting her family there and has no idea that Noah is coming. Her brother’s best friend, he has always been part of the family and years ago he broke her heart. Savannah is holding one hell of a grudge and they have barely seen each other since. Now, Noah is hoping that the forced proximity will open the door to winning her heart once and for all.

“I’m not losing you. Not again.”

This is such a sweet read, and even in just a few chapters, Cowles managed to suck me in to the story and I was feeling everything along with Noah and Savannah. It wouldn’t be a Cowles book without some sort of mystery/suspense, and what do you know, there’s a crazed stalker who doesn’t want them together, which brings a bit of excitement. But for me, it was all about the romance, and I really enjoyed this one.

“I love you, Savannah. You’re always been everything, and you always will be.”

All I Want for Christmas is You by Helena Hunting (writing as H. Hunting)

Taking us back to the Lies, Hearts & Truths series, this is a novella for Lavender and Kodiak as they gather together with their family and friends for Christmas, where they will celebrate their own big day.

I loved this story so much! Full of all of the fun, steam, sex jokes and awkward moments that you would expect from this group, this is a fabulously entertaining read that is emotional and sweet, sexy and beautifully romantic.

“You’re mine for the rest of my life.”
“I’ve always been yours, Lavender.”

You may be a bit lost with this one if you haven’t read Helena Hunting before. But if you’re a fan, you’ll love seeing the LH&T characters again – all still blissfully loved up and awesome. And of course characters from the Pucked and All In series make appearances, now in the parental/uncle/aunt roles. It was such a treat seeing more of this crew.

It’s such a fun read, and I loved it!

Find Me Tonight by A.L. Jackson

A Time River novella.

Crackle by Adriana Locke

A short story set in the Gibson Boys world.

Christmas Kisses & Mountain Wishes by K.C. Lynn

An introduction to the Heart Mountain series.

A Macon Christmas by Ashley Munoz

A Mount Macon series novella.

Stay a Wyle by Laura Pavlov

Laura Pavlov has taken us back to her Cottonwood Cove series, giving us a story for two of my favourite side-characters from the series, a flirty, feisty romance for Wyle, brother of Maddox (from Under the Stars, book #2) and Lola, best friend of Presley (from After the Storm, book #5).

Wyle is a billionaire playboy who is smitten with Lola the moment he arrives in Cottonwood Cove. She has heard of him and his reputation, and wants nothing to do with him, which puts him on the pursuit, and wow, he is one determined man! Though patience, persistence and showing his sweet side, he wins her over, and we get to see them fall in love, and it’s passionate and gorgeously swoony.

“I’m not going anywhere, Lola. Tell me what you want, and I swear to you, I’ll fucking give it to you.”

There’s some intensity in this one which enhances the romance, and I loved watching these two come together.

Merry and Wild by Kristen Proby

Wilds of Montana origin story

A Tall Order by Kandi Steiner

A Becker Brothers series novella

A Highland Christmas by Samantha Young

This is such a gorgeous story! Set in the world of Samantha Young’s Adair Family and Highlands series, it’s a sweet, sexy and heartfelt romance for Haydyn (who was unsuccessful at winning two of the heroine in those series). Even with that tie-in, you can read this one as a standalone.

Haydyn is a single father who is completely devoted to his ten year old son, Michael. When Kenna comes to interview for the position of nanny, he almost immediately dismisses her due to his attraction, not wanting to be the cliched father who falls for his nanny. But Michael is instantly in love, and Kenna gets the job. She effortlessly fits into their lives, but sparks are flying everywhere, and after some close calls, a snowy Christmas brings them together.

“All I could think about was you. And all the ways I wanted to make you mine.”

Even in such a short story, Young manages to bring the feels with this one, giving us a complete story with characters that I loved, and a romance that is sweet, passionate and beautifully swoony. This was a really gorgeous read, and I loved it.

This is a great collection, and I loved coddling up with the stories that I read.