The Trouble with Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis
Heartbreaker Bay series #2. Contemporary romance, romantic comedy. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Willa Davis owns and runs a pet store which includes day care and specialized products. When Keane Winters knocks on the door with a noisy cat, she can’t help herself from caring for the animal even though she’s mad he doesn’t remember her from their high school days. Keane is taking care of the cat for his great-aunt for a few weeks and he needs help. Fortunately Willa has a big heart and steps in multiple times. As they get to know each other, the sparks fly. Making a Christmas wish at the fountain may be lucky this time for Willa.

Kind of adorable with humor and lusty feelings. Comedic relief provided by the cat. Some steam for the romance and an hea for a feel good holiday escape. Loved it. ( )

I received an advance reading copy of this book to review.

Willa is a product of the foster care system, a throwaway child who takes in strays so that they don't have to live the way she did. She's a champion of the underdog and she always has your back. When the boy who stood her up for the Sadie Hawkins dance in high school shows up at her pet store, old hurts are resurrected, and magnified when he doesn't remember Willa.

From the outside, Keane had a more traditional upbringing, although as the "extra" kid in his family, he acted out to garner the love and attention he was lacking. As such, he has an innate fear of attachment-to a home, to people. Except, like Willa, he tends to take care of the people around him, even the ones who have let him down.

In typical Shalvis fashion, the chemistry between these two is off the charts and they have to find a way to like each other, in spite of past hurts, in spite of their emotional baggage.

When I pick up a Jill Shalvis book, I always end up reading it through start to finish. Full of wit and steam, angst and the discovery of love, her writing style is fun and fluid. Why isn't this one five stars? She's venturing into more kink with this series, which I don't think is needed. Even though it's barely there, I'm not sure it needs to be there at all. I also had some trouble with Willa's characterization. She takes in strays, and Keane fits that mold, so her "I love him, I love him not" vacillating grew a little tiresome. Willa is shown to trust people, even when she probably shouldn't, so her struggle to trust Keane was a stretch. These are minor hiccups overall - I still loved the story and set against the backdrop of San Francisco, the author has captured the facets of the city beautifully.


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This book is about Willa and Keane. They apparently have a past together, one Keane doesn’t remember. That pisses Willa off and she decides to hate him on sight. The problem? Keane is a good guy and she can’t help but fall for him. Keane, on the other hand, is instantly attracted and can’t figure out why she’s so intent on not liking him. Both have serious emotional baggage and wonder if all they’re meant for is a one night stand. But how do they handle it when one night isn’t enough?

This started off pretty good, but it devolved into a big old convoluted mess that just annoyed me. I started off liking Willa quite a bit and was a bit leary of Keane because of their history. But Keane turned out to be a really good guy and Willa was just annoying and infuriating. This was one of those books where the HEA just make sure me roll my eyes because she put him through so much that I wasn’t sure why he even still wanted her. I read this because of the upcoming movie. I’m hoping the movie will be less frustrating. ( )

Contractor Keene and pet shop owner Willa knew each other in high school, when she asked him on a date… and he was a no show. Ouch. So now, 10 years later when he shows up with an ill-tempered Siamese cat in tow, looking for a pet-sitter, it’s no wonder he gets a frosty reception. Of course, he doesn’t remember her AT ALL, which just makes this more fun.

This was a cute romance. Romance cuteness is five hearts. Puppy and kitten adorability (I am such a sucker for animal scenes) is five Siamese cat mews. Holiday cheer is probably at three snowmen. The story is more focused on pets, friends, and Keene’s job renovating than on Christmas. But that doesn’t do anything to diminish the fact that it’s an adorable romance all on its own, and I loved Keene and Willa as a couple. Plus the author did a great job with the San Francisco setting! ( )

Feel good Christmas romance, this comes before the novella 'One Snowy Night'. Keane stood Willa up for a high school dance and doesn't even remember Willa when he walks into her store needing her help with a 'PITA' his aunts cat. These two both have relationship and commitment issues, so they hit a lot of bumps. Some funny cat moments.
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