family ( )

I received this book for free from the publisher (Harlequin) as part of their Bookstagram Christmas mailing.

This was such a heartwarming book!

This book tells three different romance stories and all of them were so cute and uplifting. They all had the common thread of finding love in unexpected places, which I loved. I liked how the author balanced the three stories. Griffin’s story seemed to get the most screen time but didn’t overshadow the other two. The other two stories got the proper attention they deserved and I’m glad the author didn’t force the stories to be longer. Sometimes less is more.

The three storylines don’t really overlap or connect to one another (there is one or two instances of characters interacting with each other but that’s about it), but I wished they would have. That felt like a missed opportunity and it would have took it to the next level.

This book does have a Christmas theme, but it is not super Christmasy so you can read it any time of the year. The central aspect of the book are the romances that blossom and romances are fun to read any time of year.

Overall, this was a wonderful collection of three romance stories! I definitely recommend it if you want something sweet to read. ( )

I have read several books in this series. While, Christmas is still a few months away, I was in the holiday mood to start reading Christmas style books. This book put me in the right holiday spirit.

In the beginning I did have a little trouble with the three interlocking characters' stories. This only transpired for the first couple of chapters. After, this it was easy to keep the different characters' stories separate for the most part. They still interacted with one another.

Right away, I was drawn to Jaxon's story. This is because he finds company in the form of a dog. I am a dog lover, so he instantly won me over. Although, the other character's stories were just as heart warming. There is Griffin and Sunlan. They may have started out as "pretending" to love each other; same as Jamie and Wyatt but in the end; both couples discovered the true meaning of love.

Ms. Thomas sure brings the Christmas joy and pure delight with her latest offering in the Ransom Canyon series, Mistletoe Miracles! ( )

Mistletoe Miracles by Jodi Thomas is a 2018 Sourcebooks Casablanca publication.

Three sensitive and heartwarming tales set in the appropriately named small Texas town of Crossroads, will leave you with a warm heart, and full of Christmas cheer-

Griffin is about to lose his ranch even after he’s done everything conceivable to save it. That ranch is in his blood, part of his identity, which prompts him to make a desperate decision. He’s decided that he, or one of his two brothers, will have to marry a wealthy woman. To that end, he seeks help from two older ladies in town, who, to his surprise almost immediately comes up with a woman who meets his specifications perfectly- and as it turns out- he meets her expectations, as well. But, of course, there is a catch- one Griffin hadn’t counted on.

Meanwhile, schoolteacher Jamie Johnson finally has a place of her own and is contented with her lake house, but to avoid unwanted advances from colleagues, she has invented a husband. Returning home from a school related trip, she is stunned to find a man in her home. But, once the initial shock wears off, Jamie and Wyatt decide to play house for a few weeks while he is on leave. Wyatt will be her ‘pretend’ husband, and Jamie would give Wyatt the sense of home he so desperately craves before heading back off into the danger zone.

And last, but not least, is the story of Jaxon Grady, a recluse living in an isolated cabin, battling a plethora of demons. But, when he rescues a severely injured dog, after witnessing a bad car crash, his lost and lonely life takes a turn for the better, all because he is able and willing to help someone out in a time of crisis.

Instead of three separate stories, told one at a time, the author allotted each thread an alternating chapter, which sort of threw me, at first. But, once I picked up the cadence, it was all good! Despite the format, the stories are not really linked in any way, except by location. However, each story is heartwarming, and sweet, and all hold the promise of a brighter future- and maybe even a happily ever after- or two- or three!

While this is a holiday themed novel, and certainly embodies the spirit of the season, this is the type of book one can read over and over, at any time of the year. It’s an uplifting collection of stories, inspirational too, at times, and is just an overall ‘feel good’ novel. The stories are ‘clean’, with only mild innuendo and adult themes, so everyone can enjoy this one. This would be an outstanding addition to your holiday reading selections this year - and for years to come. Highly recommend!! ( )