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kariniwonderland's review
3.0
The premise was great, but the story didn’t quite deliver. I loved that there were dual pov’s, but there were too many flashbacks that slowed the story down. The begin and ending were great, but I skimmed a few chapters in between just to get to the end faster. Nevertheless if you like the slow-burn friends-to-lovers romance then this is a cute holiday read for you.
I got this arc in exchange for an honest review.
I got this arc in exchange for an honest review.
ateachersguidetoreading's review
3.0
"So that’s a deal then. We’ll get married on your thirtieth birthday if we’re both still single..."
*
Christmas Eve eight years, Evie and Dan made a pact under the mistletoe. If by thirty she wasn't married then her and Dan were going to tie the knot. And they sealed the deal with a kiss. But it was a joke, neither of them took it seriously. Until they wake up in a honeymoon suite in Vegas beside eachother, the day before Evie's 30th birthday, and they're married. Nothing a quickie divorce can't fix and then things can go back to normal. But is that easier said than done? What happens when their paths keep crossing and they can't seem to stop gravitating towards eachother? Do they take a chance or are they ready to let go of their pact?
*
"You know: with all our fantastic twenty-first century medicine, we can’t save everyone, and we can’t prevent bad things still happening to some of the people we save..."
*
This was for sure a cute read - a festive feel, childhood friends to lovers story with some rom-com worthy humour in the style of an unplanned Vegas wedding. The story is told through a mix of flashbacks over the past eight years and present day events, highlighting the blossoming relationship between Evie and Dan, her best friends brother. I was drawn in by the Ross and Rachel 'we got married in Vegas when drunk' plot but I felt this could have been developed further it was resolved so quickly. At times this book felt a bit slow, as it wouldn't fully describe scenes with Evie and Dan instead stopping and skipping to other scenes with side characters when I would have liked to have seen more interaction with the leading pair. It's called The Mistletoe Pact but could easily be read any time as the present day events take place over a year. I did love how their hometown was described at Christmas time, both in the flashbacks of the past and in the present day moments. The style of writing, with the flashbacks, gives off vibes similar to How To Save A Life, One Day and Love, Rosie.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
*
"You have to be brave and fight for what you want sometimes..."
*
Christmas Eve eight years, Evie and Dan made a pact under the mistletoe. If by thirty she wasn't married then her and Dan were going to tie the knot. And they sealed the deal with a kiss. But it was a joke, neither of them took it seriously. Until they wake up in a honeymoon suite in Vegas beside eachother, the day before Evie's 30th birthday, and they're married. Nothing a quickie divorce can't fix and then things can go back to normal. But is that easier said than done? What happens when their paths keep crossing and they can't seem to stop gravitating towards eachother? Do they take a chance or are they ready to let go of their pact?
*
"You know: with all our fantastic twenty-first century medicine, we can’t save everyone, and we can’t prevent bad things still happening to some of the people we save..."
*
This was for sure a cute read - a festive feel, childhood friends to lovers story with some rom-com worthy humour in the style of an unplanned Vegas wedding. The story is told through a mix of flashbacks over the past eight years and present day events, highlighting the blossoming relationship between Evie and Dan, her best friends brother. I was drawn in by the Ross and Rachel 'we got married in Vegas when drunk' plot but I felt this could have been developed further it was resolved so quickly. At times this book felt a bit slow, as it wouldn't fully describe scenes with Evie and Dan instead stopping and skipping to other scenes with side characters when I would have liked to have seen more interaction with the leading pair. It's called The Mistletoe Pact but could easily be read any time as the present day events take place over a year. I did love how their hometown was described at Christmas time, both in the flashbacks of the past and in the present day moments. The style of writing, with the flashbacks, gives off vibes similar to How To Save A Life, One Day and Love, Rosie.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
*
"You have to be brave and fight for what you want sometimes..."
emmascr's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Bookouture for letting me take part in this tour and for my copy of this book via Netgalley. I really enjoyed Jo's previous books so I knew I was in for treat with this one.
Evie is such a sweetie. I really liked her. Apart from Dan she has terrible taste on men. Evie goes for safe and quite frankly boring men because she thinks they won't hurt her like every man has hurt her mum.
Dan, Dr Dan. I can see why Evie fell for Dan. He might be a man full of issues but underneath that is a heart of gold. Dan is just scared of getting hurt and hurting others.
I loved all the supporting characters on this. Sasha, Evie's mum and little Autumn were my favourites.
I loved the way the book flicked between now and the past. I really liked seeing how things came to be.
This book is full of humorous moments, romantic moments and down right cringe moments. This is the perfect weekend escape!
Evie is such a sweetie. I really liked her. Apart from Dan she has terrible taste on men. Evie goes for safe and quite frankly boring men because she thinks they won't hurt her like every man has hurt her mum.
Dan, Dr Dan. I can see why Evie fell for Dan. He might be a man full of issues but underneath that is a heart of gold. Dan is just scared of getting hurt and hurting others.
I loved all the supporting characters on this. Sasha, Evie's mum and little Autumn were my favourites.
I loved the way the book flicked between now and the past. I really liked seeing how things came to be.
This book is full of humorous moments, romantic moments and down right cringe moments. This is the perfect weekend escape!
nannykaren's review
5.0
Oh, how I loved The Mistletoe Pact! It had some real laugh out loud times as well as some tearjerker moments. I was drawn in by the reality of the storytelling, in such a beautiful setting. Perfect book to snuggle under a blanket with
caitmayell's review
1.0
This was so bad, I can’t even be bothered to write about all the things that were wrong with this book.
ameserole's review
3.0
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Mistletoe Pact definitely gave me those Hallmark Vibes. Mostly because it seems like two friends, who became lovers, took FOREVER and a day to finally become a thing. Of course things got messed up after a little trip down to Vegas... but honestly what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
Unless you want to divorce someone? Again, not sure but these two seriously needed to acknowledge their feelings for one another and just freaking talk to each other. It frustrated me to no one with their little dance around one another. At times, things could be cute but other times it felt like nails on a chalkboard for me because of the miscommunication.
Other than that, I did actually end up liking the book. Mostly because of the cute moments but that's it. I could have done without all the extra drama that came attached to certain characters. Still, somehow, these characters made it all work out in the end.
I'm happy that I got the chance to dive into this because I'm very excited for the colder weather to come my way. So I will definitely need to dive into more Holiday books soon.
The Mistletoe Pact definitely gave me those Hallmark Vibes. Mostly because it seems like two friends, who became lovers, took FOREVER and a day to finally become a thing. Of course things got messed up after a little trip down to Vegas... but honestly what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
Unless you want to divorce someone? Again, not sure but these two seriously needed to acknowledge their feelings for one another and just freaking talk to each other. It frustrated me to no one with their little dance around one another. At times, things could be cute but other times it felt like nails on a chalkboard for me because of the miscommunication.
Other than that, I did actually end up liking the book. Mostly because of the cute moments but that's it. I could have done without all the extra drama that came attached to certain characters. Still, somehow, these characters made it all work out in the end.
I'm happy that I got the chance to dive into this because I'm very excited for the colder weather to come my way. So I will definitely need to dive into more Holiday books soon.
andrea_author's review
3.0
When they were twenty-two, Dan and Evie made a pact under the mistletoe. If they weren't married by age thirty, they would marry each other. And on a drunken night in Las Vegas, that's what they do. Is it a mistake, or a sign they belong together?
This book is not what I expected. It goes back and forth in time between the present day and the intervening years since they made the pact. It's a low-angst, slice-of-life type novel without any real obstacles except their fear of commitment. Despite the commercial hook, this novel is more literary in its style and structure. (You could remove the Vegas wedding and subsequent intimate encounter, and it's wouldn't change the story at all.) This book might appeal to fans of Sally Rooney.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This book is not what I expected. It goes back and forth in time between the present day and the intervening years since they made the pact. It's a low-angst, slice-of-life type novel without any real obstacles except their fear of commitment. Despite the commercial hook, this novel is more literary in its style and structure. (You could remove the Vegas wedding and subsequent intimate encounter, and it's wouldn't change the story at all.) This book might appeal to fans of Sally Rooney.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up.
Better than your typical British holiday romance!! I was pleasantly impressed with this heartfelt Christmas story about two friends who make a marriage pact and then years later accidentally (on purpose??) get married after a wild night in Vegas. Told from dual POVs and alternating timelines, I enjoyed getting to know Evie and Dan's journey to HEA. Recommended for fans of books like One day in December or This time next year. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital audiobook copy!
Better than your typical British holiday romance!! I was pleasantly impressed with this heartfelt Christmas story about two friends who make a marriage pact and then years later accidentally (on purpose??) get married after a wild night in Vegas. Told from dual POVs and alternating timelines, I enjoyed getting to know Evie and Dan's journey to HEA. Recommended for fans of books like One day in December or This time next year. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital audiobook copy!
meganlee3001's review
3.0
This book had all the potential of a five star read and I was so sure that's where it was heading but it just fell flat for me.
I loved the characters, they were all fun and likeable. I really enjoyed reading about them.
But the author just seemed to skip over some major events. Like I really thought the Vegas wedding was going to be the plot of the book but it's almost brushed over, especially the aftermath.
Honestly it's a little difficult to say what didn't work without spoiling the book. I just felt like the author really had trouble keeping all the threads of the story going. For example, we meet Millie, a troublesome friend. We meet her at the start of the book. We then meet her again so much later than I actually forgot she was in this book. She makes a random appearance, says one line and that's it for Millie. Never to be seen or heard of again.
I understand that obviously in a romance there's going to be some boundaries to the characters being together but it really felt like the author took these a step too far.
In the end, the resolution was totally anticlimactic and I really wish it had been something more because I was set to love this book.
That being said, it was still a good read and I did still enjoy it.
I gave it 3 stars⭐
Thank you to NetGalley, Jo Lovett & Bookouture for an eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the characters, they were all fun and likeable. I really enjoyed reading about them.
But the author just seemed to skip over some major events. Like I really thought the Vegas wedding was going to be the plot of the book but it's almost brushed over, especially the aftermath.
Honestly it's a little difficult to say what didn't work without spoiling the book. I just felt like the author really had trouble keeping all the threads of the story going. For example, we meet Millie, a troublesome friend. We meet her at the start of the book. We then meet her again so much later than I actually forgot she was in this book. She makes a random appearance, says one line and that's it for Millie. Never to be seen or heard of again.
I understand that obviously in a romance there's going to be some boundaries to the characters being together but it really felt like the author took these a step too far.
In the end, the resolution was totally anticlimactic and I really wish it had been something more because I was set to love this book.
That being said, it was still a good read and I did still enjoy it.
I gave it 3 stars⭐
Thank you to NetGalley, Jo Lovett & Bookouture for an eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review.