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A review by cozycritiques
Mistletoe and Mishigas by M.A. Wardell
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
“Sheldon Soleskin is utterly adorable. Asshole.”
- Mistletoe and Mishigas
Happy release day to my dear friend, Matt! Thank you for letting me read an early copy of this amazing holiday rom com 😊
Tropes: Holiday Romance, Fake Dating, Opposites Attract, Grumpy/Sunshine, Workplace Romance, Teachers, No Third Act Breakup, Dual POV, Snowed In, Found Family, Size Difference, Hurt/Comfort
Representation: LGBTQ+ (Gay, Femme Gay), Plus Size, Mental Health (PTSD), Jewish
Spice Scale: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
CW: Parental Abandonment, Death, Grief, PTSD Flashbacks, Discussion of Military Trauma and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Wardell does it again, perfectly mixing humor with a love story that will make your heart melt. One of my favorite things about Teacher of the Year, aside from the Marvin’s relatability, was how unapologetic it was in its representation. It didn’t hold back, didn’t sanitize anything, and Mistletoe and Mishigas is the same.
Neither Sheldon or Theo are what a romance reader has come to expect from male leads. Sheldon is a femme gay man. He’s short and has flaming red hair. He loves to dance and paint his nails. He’s loud and proud of who he is. Theo is plus size. He’s a grump with a secret soft side. He loves to cook. In a genre full of buff men, these two break the mold and I love them for it.
Their love story is heartwarming and refreshing. They’re total opposites, yet find themselves drawn to each other in ways neither really understands. I loved watching Theo’s sweet side unfold the more Sheldon wormed his way into his life, and I completely melted at his interactions with sweet Brodie. There’s also a blissful lack of unnecessary conflict. Their path to love wasn’t easy, but it was a delight watching them slowly fall in love without the looming threat of something tearing them apart.
Like Teacher of the Year, Mistletoe’s cast of side characters are well developed and lovable. I loved Naomi and Kent (who I am very much looking forward to getting to know better in the next book), but Theo’s parents really stole the show. I wish I could be adopted by them like Sheldon.
Teacher of the Year was amazing and one of my favorite reads of the year, but Mistletoe and Mishigas is even better. It’s cozy, laugh-out-loud funny, spicy (even spicier than TOY), and the perfect book to get you in the holiday mood.
- Mistletoe and Mishigas
Happy release day to my dear friend, Matt! Thank you for letting me read an early copy of this amazing holiday rom com 😊
Tropes: Holiday Romance, Fake Dating, Opposites Attract, Grumpy/Sunshine, Workplace Romance, Teachers, No Third Act Breakup, Dual POV, Snowed In, Found Family, Size Difference, Hurt/Comfort
Representation: LGBTQ+ (Gay, Femme Gay), Plus Size, Mental Health (PTSD), Jewish
Spice Scale: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
CW: Parental Abandonment, Death, Grief, PTSD Flashbacks, Discussion of Military Trauma and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Wardell does it again, perfectly mixing humor with a love story that will make your heart melt. One of my favorite things about Teacher of the Year, aside from the Marvin’s relatability, was how unapologetic it was in its representation. It didn’t hold back, didn’t sanitize anything, and Mistletoe and Mishigas is the same.
Neither Sheldon or Theo are what a romance reader has come to expect from male leads. Sheldon is a femme gay man. He’s short and has flaming red hair. He loves to dance and paint his nails. He’s loud and proud of who he is. Theo is plus size. He’s a grump with a secret soft side. He loves to cook. In a genre full of buff men, these two break the mold and I love them for it.
Their love story is heartwarming and refreshing. They’re total opposites, yet find themselves drawn to each other in ways neither really understands. I loved watching Theo’s sweet side unfold the more Sheldon wormed his way into his life, and I completely melted at his interactions with sweet Brodie. There’s also a blissful lack of unnecessary conflict. Their path to love wasn’t easy, but it was a delight watching them slowly fall in love without the looming threat of something tearing them apart.
Like Teacher of the Year, Mistletoe’s cast of side characters are well developed and lovable. I loved Naomi and Kent (who I am very much looking forward to getting to know better in the next book), but Theo’s parents really stole the show. I wish I could be adopted by them like Sheldon.
Teacher of the Year was amazing and one of my favorite reads of the year, but Mistletoe and Mishigas is even better. It’s cozy, laugh-out-loud funny, spicy (even spicier than TOY), and the perfect book to get you in the holiday mood.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Grief
Moderate: Abandonment