A review by cakt1991
The Mistletoe Temptation by Eve Pendle

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own. 

The Mistletoe Temptation is the second in Eve Pendle’s Christmas-themed Regency novella series Faking Stitch. It can be read as a stand-alone. This book is a lot of fun, with pretty much everything you want from a sexy historical holiday romp. 

I liked both Gina and Emmett for the most part. Gina has a mind of her own, and isn’t super interested in the expectations for women of the day to marry and have children, even if her mother expects it of her, although she does long to experience life and passion. Emmett has the responsibility of the future of his family lingering over him, and while his father is still alive, the pressure to settle down to ensure the future of their line is there for him. 

I generally really liked the execution of their relationship, especially how they initially agreed to a fake engagement and there’s a growing temptation between them toward kissing…and more. I wasn’t a fan of how their different desires got in the way when their relationship was finally consummated, with him more or less admitting to forgetting precautions in the heat of passion, and using it as an excuse to try and cage her into a situation she didn’t want, for fear she’s pregnant. They did come to a compromise at the end, but that tired plot device somewhat soured the story for me, even if it makes sense in a historical context.  

This is a solid novella, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for something short and fun to read for Christmas!