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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very sweet - a book where the reader knows what’s going on long before the protagonist, but in such a nice way. Love Molly and Juan Manuel
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Book: The Mistletoe Mystery
Author: Nita Prose
Rating: 4/5 stars
I thought that The Mistletoe Mystery was a charming holiday novella that follows Molly and Juan as they prepare to spend their fifth holiday season together!
After reading both The Maid and The Mystery Guest, I knew that I had to read the novella titled The Mistletoe Mystery before picking up the third and final book in The Maid series. I am glad that I did because I enjoyed getting more of a glimpse at Molly and Juan’s relationship. I also thought it was a very cute Christmas-themed story and a great lead-in to The Maid’s Secret.
This novella, compared to the two previous books in the series, took on more of a personal mystery aspect for Molly rather than a crime that needed to be investigated and solved.
Molly and Juan are determined to have a Molly Jolly Christmas, but Molly unfortunately can’t figure out what Juan is up to - and why he keeps disappearing without explanation during odd hours. He also has been chatting more with Mr. Rosso, their apartment superintendent, and meeting up with guests in their hotel rooms, which Molly oversees while working. The problem is though, that Juan doesn’t seem to have any explanations as to why he has been seen doing these things, and the lack of reassurance doesn’t help Molly feel any more comfortable.
It turns out though that Juan has been doing all of these things to make a little extra money during the holiday season and to put together an extra special Christmas surprise for Molly!
I thought that the concept of the novella was fun and lighthearted, as there was nothing serious at hand that had occurred to any of the characters.
I was just as confused as Molly was in the beginning as to why Juan was acting so differently - but I had a feeling that everything was going to work out in the end, which it luckily did. Like the previous books, the solution to the mystery was revealed to readers before Molly was able to figure out herself what exactly was happening.
I feel bad for Molly at times, as unlike the other books, there were no clues for her to go by until the surprise was being unveiled to her. She had to rely on Gran’s words echoing in her mind and learn to trust those close to her that everything was not as it seemed and that it would get better.
The novella also featured characters that readers, such as myself, have come to love by this point in the series. Mr. Preston, Angela, and Lily were just a few of them who were in on the surprise - and helped Juan execute his Christmas surprise wonderfully!
I would recommend this novella to anyone looking to continue The Maid series, or who is looking for a charming but mysterious holiday read!
I would recommend this novella to anyone looking to continue The Maid series, or who is looking for a charming but mysterious holiday read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Grief, Gaslighting
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Death, Death of parent
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cute Christmas novella
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes