Letters to Mrs. Claus Series, Week 1

 

As I mentioned in a previous post, I've been accepted to both the ARC and Street Teams for a multi-author holiday novella series, Letters to Mrs. Claus. Here's a quick blurb on the series written by someone more eloquent than I. 

Letters to Mrs. Claus is a kisses-only romantic comedy series, crafted by 12 talented authors, bursting with holiday cheer. Each delightful novella is a perfect cozy read, with each book being connected by Mrs. Claus and her Operation Mistletoe Match.

A meddling friend or family member sends Mrs. Claus a letter about someone who’s lonely, heartbroken, or closed off to love.

With her timeless wisdom, Mrs. Claus tailors heartfelt messages to the subject of the letter, offering an inspiring note that tackles their romantic roadblock. Packed with hilarious missteps, flustered blushes, and courageous adventures as they chase their happily-ever-after.

Every week for six weeks, two novellas will be released. As the person who keeps their Christmas tree up all year, it doesn't take much to get me feeling festive, but with the first two books out, I'm ready to start taking hot chocolate and cookie breaks. 

Check out the whole series here!

Here's a quick recap of the first two books in this series. WARNING: For anyone new here, there may be a few spoilers when I start talking books. Since I don't mind them, I forget that a lot of people do. 😬

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The first book in the series involves a small town police officer and a wanderer who happens to stay after her van breaks down. 

Grayson used to be a big city police officer, but he came back home to visit his grandpa and just stayed. He likes what small towns have to offer and doesn't really see himself leaving. 

Tandy has lived as a wanderer for as long as she can remember. After her dad left, her mom moved them from place to place and the way of life has kind of stuck. Her van breaks down and she ends up staying in town longer than she planned - long enough to get emotionally adopted by her boss's family. 

The two meet after a break in at the bookstore where Tandy works and she literally throws a book at him. Ever since that moment, the two are pretty much always trying to hang out. When Tandy's rental floods and she needs a place to stay, Grayson doesn't think twice about offering for her to stay with him and his grandpa. 

Grayson, who lives his life in order and minimal color, comes home to Tandy having decorated the house for Christmas and delivers the line that makes me fall in love with him when she asks what he thinks, “It’s vibrant and joyful. A little chaotic. But it’s everything you are, Bookworm.” *swoon*

The meddling runs a little rampant when she and Grayson end up under the mistletoe together and are gently reminded by their friends that it's tradition to kiss, and they can't break tradition. That kiss spooks both of them as it leaves them wanting more. 

While Grandpa talks some sense into Grayson, Tandy does what she does best when faced with anything emotionally related - she runs. Not only does she pull a runner, she does so without telling anyone. Everyone else believes she'll come back, but in his heart, Grayson's biggest fear has just played out...or has it? 🤔 

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The second book in the series brings us a firefighter and a pediatric nurse who have opposite work schedules. They are neighbors, and their first meeting is her banging on his door with a *maybe not so* polite ask to turn the music down. 

Michael is a golden retriever at heart - always trying to take care of others, especially their elderly neighbor Mrs. Fletcher. Melanie gives off black cat energy and has her heart locked up tighter than Fort Knox after a failed engagement. 

Melanie's friend Noelle has been telling her about her boyfriend Cole's best friend Mike for ages and is dying for the two to meet because she and Cole think they would be perfect for each other. She convinces Melanie to finally leave her house and come to Cole's family Christmas party to meet Mike. 

To Melanie's shock, Mike is Michael, the next door neighbor she has been complaining to Noelle about. Mike, on the other hand, is pumped that Mel is Melanie, the adorably grumpy neighbor that he has been crushing on. 

“I like you, I’ve liked you for a while, but I can go as slow as you need. Because I get the feeling that you need to trust that I’m not like the man you trusted before.” *Where do I find men like this?*

Lots of Christmas magic is used as Michael, with the help of Mrs. Fletcher, picks the locks on Melanie's heart. 

There's more Christmas cheer to come, so stay tuned to see what other magic Mrs. Claus has up her sleeve this holiday season.