A review by obsidian_blue
The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita Prose

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

3.0

Cute little short story following Molly. Its obvious what is going on, but still mostly enjoyable to get there. 

I honestly think this was an okay novella, but not really needed.

"The Mistletoe Mystery" follows Molly the Maid and Juan Manuel, together now for 5 years. Molly misses her Gram, but especially around the holidays. Juan Manuel though has made the holidays special by making sure they continue traditions, and also create new ones. Juan Manuel though, has been acting strangely this holiday season, he's not where he should be, seems to have different people he's talking to, and Molly is afraid she chose a frog and not a prince. 

Pros: 

-This was a fast read, it's only 112 pages. That said, it probably should not have cost as much as it did honestly (FYI this is $9.99, it's a novella, come on). 

-We have more of a plot in this one than the second book. It's really easy to see where things are going though to the point this could have been wrapped up in less than 20 pages. 

-I do enjoy holiday romances, so it's interesting to see Prose write it as such with no dark murders going around. I am wondering if she's going to move into that genre fully in the future.

-The characters we have gotten to know re-appear which is nice. 

Cons:

-As I said already, there is no way this should have cost $9.99. I didn't even know it cost that much when I selected it. My fault for not paying attention. 

-Plot. Super simplistic. Did not need to be drawn out. Also, there's no "mystery" here at all. Just in Molly's mind. I am also tired of hearing about Gram. It's to the point the woman sounds like a nightmare. Or Molly is. I don't know. 

-Flow. This dragged. I mean we all knew what was going on and why, but holy cow it took too long to get there.

-Molly. I don't know all, it does not sound like Molly and Juan Manuel are poor as much as it is Molly is cheap as hell. I really wish someone had brought that up. Also, I wish someone have given me old magazines as a Secret Santa gift. That's all I got on that. 

-Ending. I assume whatever book she does, this is going to be after these events, so we have to know by then these two are 5 years together.