An enjoyable little read, perfect for lovers of Christmas, culinary and the Cotswolds! With a cute little romance thrown in!

The title led me to expect a mystery book with a Christmas theme. What I read instead was a joyous, feel-good, easy read filled with pleasant characters and delicious sounding food.

I absolutely adore this cover, it is gorgeous!

This was a really easy story to read, it had a great flow and I read it in a few hours after my daughter had gone to bed for the night and my husband was at work – a real treat for some well earned “me” time!

The characters are lovely and I really warmed to them, they worked really well within the story and their interaction was spot on. 4.5 stars from me rounded up to 5 stars for Amazon and Goodreads – highly recommended and a very enjoyable story!

This is the third in Daisy James's Paradise Cookery School series, but can be read as a standalone.

I enjoyed this book - a cosy easy read which is a treat to read. A good cast of characters which I warmed to and enjoyed how their stories interacted. A lovely snowy setting forms the perfect location.

A tasty treat for a cosy afternoon on the sofa with a lovely hot cuppa. Looking forward to reading more from Daisy James.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have a small (well ok a huge) confession to make. Although I have several of Daisy’s books on my ever increasing ‘To Be Read’ mountain, I haven’t actually read one yet…….until now that is. I was invited to take part in the blog tour for ‘Mistletoe & Mystery’, which is the third book in ‘The Paradise Cookery School’ series and I thought it would be an ideal opportunity to acquaint myself with Daisy’s books. I was not to be disappointed as I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Mistletoe & Mystery’ but more about that in a bit.
I couldn’t help but take to Millie from the first time I met her. She works in a patisserie and she is asked to go and oversee a cookery course. Millie jumps at the chance and the added bonus is the fact she has the chance to bump into/ work alongside the delightful sounding Zach again. Millie is kind, decent, honest, hard working and above all she is a fantastic friend to have. She travels to the cookery school but to say that she is unprepared for the weather conditions is an understatement. I must admit that I had to chuckle to myself when she doesn’t dress appropriately for the heavy snow. She thinks that that’s because of her French roots and having the French hot blood pumping through her veins and she didn’t expect to feel the cold so much. I chuckled even more at the thought of her having to wear the coat that Zach gave her and then of course I had to laugh when she feel off the snowmobile not once, but twice. Will Millie make a success of the cookery course? Will Millie save the cookery school? Will Millie get together with Zach? Well for the answers to those questions and more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out because I am not going to tell you.
I couldn’t wait to dive straight into the book and when I did start reading, I seemed to fly through the book. I was so into the story and the characters that I just couldn’t stop reading. I absolutely adored the author’s writing style and the way in which she grabs your attention from the start and keeps it until the moment you finish the last word on the last page. As I was so focussed on the story I didn’t notice the speed with which I was reading and I was gutted to finish the book as soon as I did. To say that this book was addictive reading is a huge understatement.
‘Mistletoe & Mystery’ is one of those perfect reads for a dark and cold winter’s evening in that it distracts you from the unpleasant weather outside and from the day to day stresses. Although the story takes place in the winter, I didn’t feel cold and the story left me with a warm fuzzy feeling inside. I found myself interacting with the book in the sense that I found myself smiling at something I had read or I was chuckling away whilst I was imagining Millie’s mishaps taking place. The only problem with this book was that it made me feel hungry and in need of cake!!
In short I really enjoyed reading ‘Mistletoe & Mystery’ and I would recommend it to other readers. ‘Mistletoe & Mystery’ can be read as a standalone but because I am a bit OCD I fully intend to read the series from the beginning and in order. I can guarantee that Daisy’s other books will not be on the ‘To Be Read’ mountain for very much longer. I can’t wait to read what she comes up with next. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*. It truly is a delightful read.

Daisy James has such fun, read me books. I mean just look at the cover of this one, adorable. The cover alone will draw you to it, and the story........ The story is so much fun, warm, Christmasy, and full of delectable food, yums! Please don't read it on an empty stomach though it just may lead to raids of the pantry and cookie baking at midnight while your being tempted by the delicious food descriptions! The character interaction was great as the story really flowed. Recommended for a delightful holiday read!
Pub Date 10 Sep 2018
I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Canelo through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

I loved returning to the characters from the Paradise Cookery School Series. There was a different feel this time as Millie is back in England but what made her so endearing as a character has survived the journey. She is accident prone, wears her heart on her sleeve and passionate about her skill as a chef. She has also kept her passion for Zach alight so it is interesting to see how that pans out once she is ensconced in the middle of a cold, snowy Winter- so different to her time in the Caribbean.

There are lots of new characters to get to know in this novel. It is full of the delights of the festive season. You find out a lot more about Claudia Croft and her family and realise that Millie's stay in the UK is going to be far from uncomplicated. I loved the structure of the story as each session of the Cookery Course counted down towards Christmas. Fun and good humour is there in spades. I can thoroughly recommend the latest in this series- let's hope for more!

In short: Snowy Cotswolds and fantastic food - what more can you want?

Thanks to the author for a copy of the book.

Millie is off to spend a week co presenting a Christmas cookery course at the beautiful Stonelea manor which she soon learns is under threat of being sold. Can Millie help save the manor and get the man.

This is a very typical festive romance but I did enjoy it. It's a light and quick read perfect for Christmas. The setting in this book conjures up very festive images. The story is good and interesting with the manor sale. I love the way the town ralleys to help them all but I did figure early on what might be going on with Claudia. A lovely fun festive read.

I couldn't help but love Millie, she's so messy just like me and very relatable. You just fell in love with her passion and klutzy personality. Plus who hasn't wanted to slide down a bannister. A great lead.

Daisy James is without a doubt one of my favourite authors. I have come to know and love, when I pick a book up that Daisy has written I am transported into a location, which is very easy to imagine. With my mind encapsulated into the story very quickly with easily likeable characters. Mistletoe and Mystery is no exception and makes for perfect Christmas reading.
Although this is the third book in the series of The Paradise Cookery School. Each book can be easily read in isolation. Daisy provides some details in the book around events of the prior two books. Although, as previously, I would highly recommend reading the full series. They are books not to be missed and reading each one gives an unmissable chapter in the life of Millie.
We first met Millie in Sunshine and Secrets at the Paradise Cookery School is set in St Lucia. Millie is a Michelin star chef, she steps in and sets up the Cookery school for Claudia who is a celebrity chef. We also met Ella who supports Millie with the development of the Caribbean recipes and Zach who is the estate Manager and the handsome male in the story.
With the school ready to be opened after the first book, we see the first booking. And follow Imogen and her wedding party in the second book Confetti and Confussion. Millie helps to get Imogen's wedding back on track and of course there is another instalment with Handsome Zach as his ex girlfriend appears on the scene.
Mistletoe and Mystery takes us to the Cotswolds. Where Claudia invites Millie to be her co presenter at her Manor home for the Festive Feast Course. And of course, Millie jumps at the chance, Zach will also be at the Manor!
The scene is quickly set, and you will be transported to the Manor House with the snow falling around you. And everything is out in place for the guests to arrive for the festive Cookery to begin.
Claudia has put the Manor House up for sale to enable her to pay off her cousins debt. Change is ahead, if the sale of the Manor goes through then Claudia will move to St Lucia with her husband Tim, and they have offered Zach a job at the Cookery school. With a prospective buyer scheduled to visit Claudia falls ill, and the events of the coming week unfold..... Millie as always is incredibly supportive and determined to make the Festive Cookery school a success. But she is also incredibly sad at the thought of the changes ahead.
This is a story of festive cheer, cooking, humour, romance and of course new beginnings. As you read, you can taste the food and feel the snow. Transported to the Cotswolds and sat in the Cookery school observing. More than once whilst reading my stomach rumbled.
Thank you to Ellie, Daisy and Canelo for our advanced copy.

Mistletoe & Mystery is technically a standalone in the Paradise Cookery School series, but I think I would've benefitted from reading the previous book.

There's something about romances involving cooking that I absolutely eat up (see what I did there?), and I thoroughly enjoyed this one, but I wouldn't say it had a lasting effect on me. It could be because it's a standalone, but there was enough closure that I don't have any desire to know what happens next, and won't be sitting around waiting for a sequel.

All of that aside, though, I did enjoy following Millie's clumsy adventures assisting with the Festive Feast cookery course, and could feel every bit of Christmas charm that was present in the little Cotswold village. I didn't feel super connected to the characters and wasn't swooning over Zach like I usually do the main male interest. But, an enjoyable read nonetheless.

A nice easy to read book. The storyline was predictable but I did still enjoy this and perfect for this time of year

I enjoyed this book, like I did the others in the series. They are sweet and charming books. I did feel it was a little rushed , but that wasn’t a big issue, the story was still enjoyable and I loved getting the next instalment in the recurring characters’ lives!

Another lovely story from this author. Definitely recommended to those readers who enjoyed her previous story in this series. It flowed effortlessly into this new story and is well worth reading.

The blurb:

Welcome to the Cotswolds Festive Feast cookery course ... Fresh off the successful opening of the Paradise Cookery School in St Lucia, Millie Harper is headed to the Cotswolds for Christmas!

Co-presenting Claudia Croft’s famous Festive Feast cookery course at Stonelea Manor is a dream come true for Millie … as is reuniting with gorgeous estate manager Zach Barker.

But arriving in a winter wonderland Millie learns the manor is under a mysterious threat. It’ll take a holiday miracle, but Millie is determined to save the school and get Zach under the mistletoe to finally finish what they started in the Caribbean!

Lovely little read - read in one sitting and this book just cheered me up completely. 5*

The literary equivalent of a mug of hot chocolate and a goose down feather duvet, Mistletoe & Mystery is a gorgeous, uplifting and feel-good romantic comedy from the inimitable pen of Daisy James. Funny, heartwarming and so captivating you will want to read the whole book in a single sitting, Mistletoe & Mystery is an exquisitely festive read I did not want to put down.

Millie Harper cannot remember a time when she had been so happy. All of her professional aspirations seem to be coming true after she had started working for Claudia Croft and her Paradise Cooking School. After the school’s successful opening in St Lucia, Millie is off to spend Christmas at the Cotswolds and at Stonelea Manor where she will find herself coming into close proximity with dashing estate manager Zach Barker, a man with whom she has history. Could this Christmas finally see the two of them reuniting and finding the courage to confess the truth about the depth of their feelings for one another? Or is a happy ending simply not on the cards for them?

Arriving at Stonelea Manor, Millie is dismayed to find that the beautiful estate is under threat. With her livelihood on the line and the future of the school in jeopardy, Millie vows not to give up with a fight – even if she cannot help but find herself distracted by Zach, who is looking as handsome as ever! All the odds might be stacked against her, but Millie is not about to surrender all of her hopes and dreams. Will she manage to save Stonelea Manor and The Paradise Cooking School? Or is she simply fighting a losing battle?

Will Millie end up getting what she wants this Christmas? Will her kisses under the mistletoe with Zach finally lead to something more? And will they finally finish off what they started in the Caribbean? Or are they destined to spend the rest of their lives wondering what might have been?

I am a big fan of Daisy James and she has outdone herself with this captivating Christmas romance, Mistletoe & Mystery. Sparkling with joie de vivre, charm, magic and poignant romance, Mistletoe & Mystery is a heartwarming and hilarious read featuring a couple you will be rooting for and cheering on to their happy ending. Daisy James writes with great style and flair and she has written an engrossing read that you will not want to end!

A must-read for romantics everywhere, Mistletoe & Mystery is not to be missed!

What an excellent return to the Paradise Cookery School series! I absolutely adored the other two books in the series, Sunshine and Secrets and Confetti and Confusion, both of which I was lucky enough to be on the blog tour for.
In this third and final, instalment, Daisy James takes us off to the Cotswolds where Claudia has another cookery school and this time she needs Millie’s help in teaching her Festive Feast cookery course.
In this book, Millie is desperate to see Zach again as he is back from Saint Lucia. They originally met there when Millie ended up at Claudia’s cookery school there.
In the first book, I found him not that likeable but here we see a much softer side to him which I did like.
I really felt for Millie as she had to come back from somewhere she loved but also curious to see what would happen as she was coming home.
Daisy James does not waste any time in describing the mouthwatering sweet treats that Milly and friends have to rustle up in the kitchen.
Poppy is a great friend of Millie’s and they get on so well. I really like the way they are when they are together. I am happy for her that she has Poppy.
Zach and Millie have to catch up where they left off in the love department and things are very much alive still for them. I really enjoy them as a couple and the Christmassy atmosphere in this book is wonderful. I was dying to try the Christmasy cupcakes mentioned at the beginning!
This book will appeal to anyone with a sweet tooth and indeed anyone who is in need of a book about sweet romance well fighting for your dreams.
After I finished this, I was actually quite sad because I have really loved this series.
To me, a good book is one that just blows and one that makes you feel like you are not having to concentrate too much for the story to take hold. Oh well, I’ll have to go through them again lol (something I think I will end up doing time and time again – they are that addictive)

I don’t mean to say that the stories are simple in this series. They are not, they are so intricately woven with plot details sights and sounds of the surrounding locations and specific to each place.
The Paradise Cookery School series overall is a real cultural journey, with influences from England France and the Caribbean. I love how all the way through we get a sense of Millie’s French heritage and are also drawn into the world of her mother’s house there.
What starts off for Millie as a fairly simple premise of going to the airport to catch a plane to France in book 1 of the series turns into a whirlwind adventure by the that ultimately is just so passionate detailed and beautiful that you will not want this book, (or series) to end.
I do know that Daisy James has a whole wealth of books which I have on my list and am wanting to delve into right now. Daisy James is an author who has such a talent for a moving visual story that keeps you hooked from the first page to the last and that really stays with you.
Sometimes, I really feel like I have to force myself through a book to get to the end. Daisy James’ writing style just leaps of the page at you and it feels like you don’t have a book at all – in fact, it feels like you are living the plots. It feels like you are there in France or in the Caribbean or in England with all the characters experiencing what they experience feeling what they feel seeing what they see and doing what they’re doing.
I can honestly say that the Paradise Cooking School series was one of my favourite series of 2018.
Utterly absorbing! Five stars for every book in the series and also for the series as a whole.
Thanks to Daisy James and Canelo for my ARC in excgange for an honest and voluntary review as well as a spot on the blog tour for the title.

This is the third in Daisy James's Paradise Cookery School series, but my first and it works just fine as a standalone. This is a lovely funny and humorous festive read, featuring patisserie chef, Amelia 'Millie' Harper, who has recovering from heartbreak after working for the famous cook, Claudia Croft at her cookery school in St Lucia previously, thanks to Zach Barker, a man obsessed with order and cleanliness. She has feelings for him, and so is over the moon when she is invited to help run Claudia's exclusive Festive Feast course at her home, Stonelea Manor in the picturesque village of Berryford in the Cotswolds. She is excited because this is an opportunity for her to potentially move her career in a different direction after working at Etienne's, the small Hammersmith patisserie in London.

She arrives in Berryford in an unprecedented freezing snow blizzard, totally ill equipped clothing wise for the wintry wonderland she is faced with. She is more of a beach sun girl, winter really isn't her thing, or so she thinks. The half French Millie is enchanted by the Manor and overjoyed to meet up with Zach, the estate manager, once again. However, in her opinion as someone who indulges in over the top Christmas decor, the Manor is strangely missing the spirit of Christmas, and there is clearly something wrong. Claudia is unwell and upset and announces this will be the last cookery course to run at the Manor. But why? The eccentric Tim, architect and inventor, and Claudia's husband tries to do all that he can to support his wife. Zach is a joy to be with, but he too is undoubtedly troubled. He very obviously is attracted to Millie but he keeps drawing back every time at the last minute. As Millie falls in love with Berryford and begins to feel like that she belongs there, she begins to unravel the mystery and cannot help trying to help Claudia, Zach and the villagers.

This is a heartwarming read about fabulous food and wonderful festive recipes, of watching love blossom in the festive season for Millie and Zach, but not before numerous obstacles are overcome. There is plenty of fun and humour in this entertaining and wonderful read from Daisy James. The wintry location is perfect background material for a premier festive food course amidst the trials and tribulations facing Claudia and Tim, and with Zach facing up to the possibility of losing his home and job. Millie is not one for standing by the sidelines and watching her friends hopes dissipate or lose Zach without a fight. A great read for this time of the year! Many thanks to Canelo for an ARC.

Millie was invited to co-present Claudia Croft’s famous Festive Feast cookery course at Stonelea Manor. It gives Millie a great opportunity work-wise, but she also gets to meet with Zach, whom she previously met in the Caribbean. The feelings are still there and seeing Zach once again in Cotswolds, will there be a future for the two of them?

It’s the first book I read in the The Paradise Cookery School series and even though it can be read as a standalone, I wish I had read the two previous books as well, just to have more background on the characters as this was a wonderful Christmassy story. I found the main characters as much as the secondary characters wonderful and the setting was fantastic too. It’s a great book full of romance, friendship and culinary delights. I’d gladly recommend this book for the holiday season.

5☆ A Totally Absorbing and Delicious Festive Read,

Mistletoe & Mystery is the third book in the Paradise Cookery School series. But although you can read this as a standalone I would highly recommend reading them all as they are absolutely delicious!

First of all I want to start by saying Do Not Read This Mouth watering Book on an Empty Tummy. My Tummy was rumbling so hard it kept me awake lol

This time round Millie, is off too the Cotswold to help Claudia present and teach her Festive Feast Cookery Course

But not only is Millie excited, she's also buzzing with anticipation to see the very handsome and cheeky Grounds Man... Zach! Who she had a brief encounter with at Claudia's other School in the Caribbean.

Mistletoe & Mystery has a very different feel this time round.
My heart ached for Claudia and Tim. For reasons you will soon discover for yourself.

I adored the traditions and village community, one in particular stole my heart and that was the Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, where the villagers come and help decorate the empty tree with decorations in memory of loved ones who was no longer with them. It touched my heart and bought a tear to my eye.
It reminds me of the candles me and my family light for the local hospice in memory of my Nan and Grandad.

Millie and Zach's relationship is so beautiful to watch. Both clearly still have alot of chemistry and feelings for one and other, if only they would be brave enough to reignite the lost flame. I love their cheeky flirty banter, but also the softer side to Zach.

Mistletoe & Mystery is an endearing, fun and Heartwarming, festive delight, there is mystery, romance, scrumptious food, laugh out loud moments, as they prepare for what could be the last Festive Feast Cookery Course.

Daisy writes the most mesmerising and amazing stories, with beautifully observed characters who spring to life on the page. Her seamless writing instantly drew me in. She has this beautiful knack of storytelling with a lot of heart and endearing charm.

Overall A totally absorbing and delicious read, which was simply a joy to read.
So Prepare to be charmed by this utterly Scrumptious and enchanting tale.

Mistletoe & Mystery is A Must Read for all those who love food, Romance, Christmas, Mystery, Laugh Out loud and Touching moments. I Can't recommend this captivating series Enough!

Thank you to Ellie Pitcher at Canelo for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

How lovely to read a happy, funny novel- filled with delightful characters in gorgeous, seasonal surroundings.

What could be nicer than cooking Christmas goodies in Stonelea Manor, seemingly a house straight out of the pages of Country Life magazine? Accessorised by a downfall of snow, naturally!

 My mouth watered as I read the programme for each day of the course, ran by celebrity chef Claudia, assisted by Millie, and I wanted to cook every recipe Daisy James described. If only the recipes were available to replicate.

I don’t usually read novels that feature Christmas (bah, humbug!) In this case, I am so happy that I made an exception. This charming novel made me feel totally Christmassy. Mince pie & mulled wine anyone?