A holiday grumpy/sunshine story done right. Victor appreciates everything about his neighbor, even his grumpiness, and Adrian doesn't realize he's being romanced until he has fallen equally for the single dad next door and his kids.
From the blurb:
There’s no place like home for the holidays…
Especially if you hate them and want to pretend they don’t exist.
When the older man moves in next door with his two loud children and irritating pets, I ignore them. I don’t want my life to change.
Except it does. Between him and his kids, someone’s always knocking on my door needing something.
Or wanting to share delicious baked goods or a meal. I don’t need nice neighbors. I don’t want people in my space—especially ones with small, dirty fingers and a million questions.
But there’s something about his smile. The twinkle in his eyes and his merry laugh when it comes to all things festive…
He’s making me wish and dream and hope for holiday magic and mistletoe kisses. He’s making me believe in family.
Once Upon A Mistletoe Kiss is a part of the multi-author series Once Upon a Holiday Story. Each book can be read as a standalone and in any order. What links these books together is The Hook’s Book Nook Traveling Library, a library on wheels owned by two old ladies in love.
SNik's review:
Part of a multi-author series (Once Upon a Holiday Story), but can be read as a standalone novella. Grumpy/sunshine. Age gap. Single dad. Found family. Dual POV.
Adrian is happy with his solitary existence, working from home and having a house a little farther removed from its neighbors, until the only house next to his has a new family and they just won’t leave him alone. At first Victor and his two children are just being friendly, but the more time Victor spends with Adrian he knows he wants to woo the younger man, even if Adrian has no clue.
I really enjoyed that there was an equal portion of time spent with just Adrian and Victor as there was with Adrian’s interactions with Victor’s children. Adrian doesn’t change in his grumpiness and doesn’t need to, Victor sees him underneath all the gruffness. Such a lovely story for a quick read and it really brought the romance and holidays while bringing together two men and a found family.
A perfect quick feel good holiday read. Adrian has accepted his life for what it is simple and isolated until his new neighbors move in. Victor, along with his dog and two kids take a shine to the grumpy neighbor and slowly add him to their lives. Adored that Adrian had separate relationships with each of the kids to show how different and special each of them are to him. With Victor's love, he's learns to accept he is loved and cherished even though his mother failed him on this at all sides.
Angel's review:
Grumpy/Sunshine, Single Dad who co- parents with his ex, Found Family, Hurt/Comfort.
This story was absolutely adorable! I loved reading about Adrian and Victor, and how Victor was determined to learn more about his grumpy neighbor. I found this story to be so sweet and full of found family goodness, along with holiday cheer. The Traveling Book Nook's appearance added an extra touch of Christmas magic to the story which helped give Adrian perspective on just how much he truly cares for Victor, Jeremy, and Marissa.
Even though Adrian was a grump in the beginning towards the kids and towards Victor, gradually overtime he let his guard down and let himself get to know the adorable family that moved next door. As Victor and Adrian spent more time together, these two men got to learn more about each other and form a solid connection with one another. And Adrian's relationship with both of the kids was just adorable!
All in all this is an excellent short Holiday story full of new beginnings.
Heather's Review:
If you're looking for a quick holiday read to warm your heart and make the grumpy neighbor believe in holiday magic, look no further than Sammi Cee's Once Upon A Mistletoe Kiss, part of the Once Upon a Holiday multi-author series. It balanced humour, holidays, the relationship between Adrian & Victor, but also with Victor's kids and of course a new family pup. There was just enough resistance between Adrian and the neighbors to be believable without it overwhelming the story, which I liked because it
veers away from so many insta-love holiday stories.
Once Upon A Mistletoe Kiss is currently available as an e-book and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited Subscription
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