Reviews with content warning for Death - Merriment and Mayhem

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Merriment and Mayhem by Alexandria Bellefleur

16 reviews

chelseazhao's review

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lighthearted fast-paced

3.5

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carolinelfetzer's review

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

“Merriment and Mayhem” by Alexandria Bellefleur was absolutely adorable! The latter half of the Under the Mistletoe Collection is really doing it for me, and this story delivered exactly what I was looking for. I loved both main characters: Everleigh was funny and quirky without leaning into the “I’m not like other girls” trope, and Griffin was a dreamy knight in shining armor who didn’t make me cringe by laying it on too thick. The Christmas vibes were immaculate—festive without being cornball—and felt like the perfect balance for a holiday novella. This was short, sweet, spicy, and everything I hoped for in a cozy Christmas short story. Merriment and Mayhem gave me the holiday magic I was looking for!

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crystalisreading's review

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lighthearted relaxing

3.5

Another cute short story from the Amazon Christmas collection. This wasn't my favorite though. It felt underdeveloped. Conflict that turned out to be nothing was not really worth including as part of the story. Griffin could be sweet, and I loved his job as a firefighter, but he was also frequently very cocky and a little harsh with his humor. (And who asks to do doggy style the first time?!) And while he self identifie as bi/ pan, he came across as very stereotypically "masculine". At least this was a short read. I think I'll stick with Bellefleur's Sapphic romances instead.

Also this is the second story in this collection that I've read that prominently features grief over the recent loss of a grandparent. Proceed accordingly.

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isabelvegga's review

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

My favourite one!☺️

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beckyyreadss's review

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funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

When Amazon announced this short series of books by some of my favourite authors, I was all for it. This is the second book that I've read out of the five and this is by an author I've not read before. This is how a short festive story is supposed to be, all about Christmas and ends with smut and an ending that could be left alone or could be extended if the author wants to.

This book is based on Everleigh Dangerfield, and she has had a baking disaster which resolves in her neighbour calling 9-1-1. Firefighter Griffin Brantley comes to save the day and douses the flames in the kitchen, but the ones he stokes in Everleigh are an entirely different story. Unfortunately, Everleigh’s only visiting and doesn’t do casual hookups, no matter how smoldering the temptation. But Everleigh’s holiday mishaps have just begun. And Griffin is seemingly always on call. If Everleigh is game for a change of plans, he can give her the merriest Christmas of her life.

I liked that this one was surrounding Christmas, it started with a disaster from cooking and then she gets stuck trying to put up Christmas lights, all whilst dealing with her own grief at Christmas. It just reminded me of an episode of 9-1-1 and yes, I was thinking that Oliver Stark was Griffin Brantley. Just because it would be a season 1 Evan Buckley thing to do, fall in love with a woman on a case, not getting her details and then calling her trouble and then seeing her multiple times and calling it fate. I just loved that there was some chemistry then and it wasn't just all smut.

Even though it was a short story, and I knew what I was getting into, I wanted more. This could have been a whole 200–300-page book and I probably would have devoured it. I wanted the background of the town. I wanted dual POV, I wanted to know more about Brantley and why he became a firefighter. I wanted to see more of the firehouse and Everleigh being there more often, maybe even learning how to cook so she brings more treats over.

As stated, I liked that it could be left alone or that the author could carry this on. I am hoping that the author carries it on, even if it’s a case of the small-town and different members of the fire department because I would love to see Miller get his happy ending. This was my first time reading this author and I am going to make sure, it’s not the last time I read this author.

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lilybug93's review

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

Brb have to go burn my house down so I can get a cute firefighter for Christmas 🎄😜😂

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ciecyreads's review

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2.5

Disappointing ending. The actual getting together felt rushed and sloppy with a hefty dose of sex over substance. The premise was good and the characters interesting. Could have been good story if it wasn't rushed with an ending that felt incomplete.

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kjaned94's review

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

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boomwormbrittany's review

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funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Merriment and Mayhem follows Everleigh who finds herself feeling like a walking disaster after she nearly sets her grandmother's former home ablaze. But it also makes the firefighters of the town come to her door and she finds herself running into one of the firefighters over and over agian.
I really liked this novella. I thought it read pretty quick and was super fun to read. I flew through this novella in one day and really found I liked Everleigh and Griffin. Everleight was such a fun character to follow as shes trying really hard to keep her grandmother's memory alive through decorating her hosue for Chritsmas for one last time. I really loved how her and Griffin kept on running into each other and thought this was a really well written novella.
I will say that this wasn't as super Christmas as the other novellas in this grouping was but I still found it to be a really fun time. I really like Alexandria's writing and hope I can read more from her in the future.
Overall, I would say this was such a fun novella to read. I would definitely recommend picking up this novella.

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hcgambrell's review

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emotional funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

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