The Trouble with Mistletoe

Willa Davis runs a successful pet shop in San Francisco and takes pride in caring for the neighborhood's animals. When Keane Winters drops off his aunt's cat for grooming, she recognizes him as the boy who stood her up at a high school dance years ago - though he has no memory of her. Despite her initial resistance, Willa finds herself drawn into Keane's orbit as he keeps returning to the shop. Their growing attraction is complicated by their busy lives, his corporate real estate career, and both of their relationship hesitations stemming from past experiences. The story follows their developing romance against the backdrop of the holiday season in San Francisco, with a cast of friends, neighbors, and furry companions playing key roles. The tight-knit community of small business owners and local residents forms an integral part of their world. At its core, this romance explores themes of forgiveness, second chances, and how childhood experiences shape adult relationships. The novel balances lighthearted moments with deeper examinations of trust and vulnerability.

Readers call this a sweet, low-drama romance with humor and well-developed side characters. Most cite strong chemistry between the leads and authentic dialogue as highlights. Liked: - Small business themes resonate - Animal scenes add charm - Supporting cast doesn't overshadow main story - Natural progression of the relationship - Holiday elements aren't overwhelming Disliked: - Some found the pace slow in middle chapters - A few felt the conflict resolution was rushed - Several mention predictable plot points - Minor editing issues noted Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (19,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (530+ ratings) BookBub: 4.4/5 (1,200+ ratings) Common review quote: "The perfect balance of sweet and steamy with realistic characters." Multiple readers praised the authentic portrayal of pet ownership and small business challenges. Some reviewers returned to reread during holiday seasons, noting it works year-round despite the Christmas setting.

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🎄 Author Jill Shalvis has written over 50 romance novels and is a New York Times bestselling author 🐱 The story features a pet grooming business called South Bark, and the author interviewed real pet groomers to ensure accuracy in her portrayal 🎯 This book is the second installment in the "Heartbreaker Bay" series, which is set in San Francisco's historic Cow Hollow district 💝 The novel was released in September 2016 and made several holiday romance recommendation lists that year 🏆 Jill Shalvis has won multiple RITA Awards (the highest honor in romance fiction) throughout her career, though this particular book was not a recipient