Meddling with Mistletoe is a heat warming holiday story. We meet Whitney and Daniel as they come in contact at the Red Door Inn.

Whitney Garett is making pies to raise money for her tuition for culinary school. Just as she has everything prepared, her oven breaks down. She makes a deal with Marie, of the Red Door Inn. If she can use the oven in their kitchen, she will watch Marie's children. Marie agrees, but only if Whitney can make breakfast for her guests. Whiney is surprised, as the Inn is usually closed during the holidays. But she agrees.

Daniel Franklin is Aretha's nephew. He is coming to PEI to help Aretha with the sale of her antique shop. He meets with Ruby, a representative for the company buying Aretha out. Aretha thinks Ruby and Daniel would make a good couple, as she thinks he is lonely. She strikes a deal with Whitney. If Whitney will help bring them together, Aretha with cover the rest of her tuition for culinary school. Whitney agrees although she doesn't like the matchmaking. She tries, but the more she is with Daniel, the more she likes him.

This is such a sweet story. The pacing was good, dialogue, interaction between characters. An altogether delightful clean romance. I have read several of Ms Johnsons books, but this one by far is my favorite.

I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a cute cozy holiday read! It wasn't super deep to me, but a good way to pass a few hours.

From the very beginning, my heart was into this heartwarming, holiday story. Whitney is baking and selling her homemade pies to earn the money she needs to pay for tuition at culinary school. Until the very worst happens, with eight pies read to be put in the oven, she discovers her oven is broken and her landlord is out of the country for an extended period. From a place of desperation, she asks her friend, Marie, the manager of the local inn if she can use the oven there. The busy tourist season is over and there are only two guests at the inn. Whitney readily agrees to Marie’s conditions that she prepare breakfast every morning for the two guests, and also act as a babysitter for her young children when she is busy at church helping with the preparation of the upcoming Christmas program. Whitney readily agrees to both in exchange for the use of the oven.
One of the guests is Daniel, the nephew of local resident, Aretha Franklin. The other is Ruby, in town to purchase Aretha’s antique store. Daniel’s expertise is in the world of finance so he’s been asked by Aretha to oversee the financial terms of the purchase. Aretha, however, is concerned about Daniel’s single state and decides he and Ruby would make a good match. She even recruits Whitney to help with her mission of bringing the two together, offering to provide any monetary shortfall in her endeavor to earn enough money for the tuition payment.
This delightful story has ups and downs, and places where I had to pause reading while I laughed out loud. The characters are loveable and unforgettable, as I’ve discovered Liz Johnson’s characters to be.
Reading this book is a great way to begin the holiday season, with getting to know these endearing characters, as well as a reminder of why we celebrate and who we are celebrating at Christmas.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

What an amazing and different Christmas story. An encouragement to keep friends and family close. Also to keep looking for the dream God has placed in my heart, He sees me and knows His timing.

Are you ready for some holiday cheer? If you are, Meddling with Mistletoe should be the next book on your to be read list. Don’t miss this one.

To pay her tuition for culinary school, Whitney Garrett decides to sell homemade pies at the market. When her stove breaks down, she heads to the Red Door Inn to see if she can use their kitchen. A deal is struck and Whitney finds herself caring for the three Sloan children and taking on a temporary chef position in return for the use of the inn’s kitchen.

All seems to be working well until the meddlesome antiques dealer’s single son arrives in town. Aretha thinks Daniel’s love life could do with some help and she enlists the aid of the temporary chef to work magic with one of the inn’s guests, Rubie Lavoie. The thing is, Whitney doesn’t think they’re a good match. She has a plan of her own!

Just when I thought this was an easy beach read, the author got my attention and raised some fantastic probing questions. I loved her examination of choosing a career path, the dangers of judging others and ‘settling for’ instead of ‘aiming for’, and the necessity of seeing ourselves through the eyes of another. Suddenly, this book seemed as if it was written for me! I loved the message about meddling with the mistletoe as much as I loved the front-row seat to Whitney’s transformation.

I was gifted this copy by Revell and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Publication date: September 3rd, 2024

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

In a charming Christmas romance set at the Red Door Inn, Whitney Garrett dreams of attending culinary school. She must sell enough pies at the local Christmas market to afford tuition. However, when her oven breaks, Whitney turns to Marie, the owner of the Red Door Inn. Marie agrees to help, but in exchange, Whitney must assist with caring for her three children and preparing breakfast for the inn's guests. cute little Christmas romance

Thank You Netgalley and Revell

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

"Meddling With Mistletoe" by Liz Johnson is a very cute and sweet Christmas book set on Prince Edward Island. Whitney's oven breaks so she makes a deal with her neighbor Marie to use her Inn's kitchen to bake pies to sell at the local farmer's market in exchange for making breakfasts for the inn and watching Marie's children.

I enjoy the setting of the book on Prince Edward Island and the quirky characters. Mistletoe is used as a wonderful prop in the book and there is definitely a meddling aunt who of course has the best intentions. The three young children are adorable as well. It's great to see how Whitney's character evolves in this book since she really has no true direction in her life and a lot of her decisions seem to be made out of fear and lack of confidence.

If you are looking for a sweet Christmas novel for the upcoming holiday season with with a great character arc and some romance, check this one out. It has all the elements for a good Christmas book to get you in the holiday spirit.

Thank you to Revell fiction for an opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

My thoughts . Meddling with mistletoe is set on Prince Edward Island and is a sweet romance involving a insecure woman who wasn't sure what she wants to do and a man who is s quiet focused and sat in his ways, I couldn't help but fall in love with these characters including the meddling aunt who was trying to matchmake. I love the interaction between the characters. Miss Johnson is one of my favorite romance authors and I love this Christmas book. I was given a copy free and all opinions on my own.