I loved the characters and the storyline development of this book. It was absolutely one of my favorites so far and I can't wait to delve in to the next one that this author writes. The storyline was simple, enjoyable, and entertaining.

CHRISTMAS ON MISTLETOE LANE - Annie Rains

Small town holiday romance - 4 stars

Plot - 4 stars - When Kaitlyn and Mitch both inherit a failing B&B, they must work together for two months before they can decide what to do with it. Kaitlyn is all in and wants to be a success, while Mitch can't wait to get out of town.

Writing - 4 stars - As always, Rains draws me in with her well-built and attractive characters. The plot was interesting, and I enjoyed sharing in a piece of small-town life, especially during the holidays.

Characters - 4 stars - This is where the story shone for me. I really like Kaitlyn who is bubbly and enthusiastic and talented. She wants to create a warm and homey B&B, despite her lack of experience. So she jumps in, isn't afraid to ask for help, and works hard to succeed. I liked her friendliness and would love to spend time with her. Mitch is the brooding ex-Marine who can't wait to leave his home town and move on. As we discover, he has reasons for this attitude, and it's interesting to discover more about his guilt and issues regarding his past. But he's also a hard worker, loyal to his family and friends, and a nice guy when he can get out of his own way.

Title - 4 stars - Pretty straightforward--it says what it's about and definitely leads us in the right direction.

Cover - 4 stars - This cover shows exactly what this book is about--a pretty house, snowfall, and an attractive blue color.

Overall - 4 stars - Sweet and warm holiday romance. I especially liked the small-town feel. Rains described the setting so well that I felt like I was a part of it right from the beginning, making me wish I could spend time there, especially during the holiday season. The romance was great, and the problems facing them made sense. I was definitely rooting for their success as a couple. The secondary characters added dimension, and the story moved forward quickly. I look forward to continuing with this series.

The first book in the Sweetwater Springs series a well written Christmas story with a very good storyline. This is the first book by this Author that I have read and I want to read more by her. Kaitlyn Russo comes to Sweetwater Springs as she has inherited her deceased grandparents' charming (if a little rundown) bed and breakfast. Then she finds out she is half owner with Mitch Hargrove. I enjoyed seeing their story come together.

Christmas on Mistletoe Lane by Annie Rains is the first in her new series Sweetwater Springs. Y’all it is no secret that I love small town romance, and this book fits the description perfectly. Kaitlyn and Mitch’s story is cute in a kitchy-way and I love the circumstances that bring them together.

Kaitlyn is still reeling from losing her dream job when she finds out that she has inherited her grandparents Bed & Breakfast. She has fond memories of the little B&B from visiting there as a little girl. She decides to move to the small town Sweetwater Springs and revamp her grandparents business. I found myself drawn to Kaitlyn. I like her determination to make this work. She hangs all her hopes on it and prays it will pay off in the end. What she didn’t expect is to share her inheritance with the boy who grew up next door to her grandparents.

Mitch hasn’t been back to Sweetwater Springs since he joined the Marines. Now all he wants is to sell the B&B so he can get out of the small town. What he wasn’t counting on was Kaitlyn. He decides to give her the two months that the will required and then sell his share to her. What he doesn’t count on is falling for her.

I love that Kaitlyn’s grandparents are basically playing matchmaker from beyond the grave. They are forcing their granddaughter and a man they loved to run the B&B together. It’s something that Kaitlyn probably could have fought in real life, but makes for a cute story as they faces the challenges of running and opening a run down B&B. Plus y’all this is set in my backyard….well the otherside of the mountains but still basically my backyard. I love the setting and the chemistry between the characters. AND it’s set around Christmas adding a touch of magic to the story in my opinion.

Overall I enjoyed Christmas on Mistletoe Lane. I can’t wait to return to Sweetwater Springs as the author has set up a fun town and some great characters. If you are looking for a sweet Christmas romance, this is it!

Kaitlyn comes to Sweetwater Springs, expecting to inherit her grandmother's bed and breakfast and eager to make a fresh start by moving in and running it. But there's a catch. Her grandmother left the B&B to her and handsome neighbor and former marine Mitch. The two have to run the B&B together for two months, or forfeit the B&B entirely. Mitch doesn't want to stay in town because of skeletons in his closet, but he agrees to stay for Kaitlyn's sake when he sees how much the B&B means to her. Over the course of fixing up the place and getting the business profitable again, they grow much closer.

A really cute story with a pair that have a lot of chemistry. I'm a huge fan of gruff-but-secretly-squishy heroes matched with overly cheerful heroines, so it was perfect for me. I thought Mitch's 'terrible past' was kind of weak, especially the resolution of it, but his cranky reactions as a result of his internal conflict were a wholly appropriate kind of tension for this story. The side lines about Kaitlyn getting to know her grandmother through running the inn and Mitch learning to be less overprotective over his mom were both sweet as well, and the townspeople and side characters are quirky and nicely set up for getting their own novels in the series.

CW - Sexual assault as backstory, not on page.

Favorite Quotes:

“You’re a crappy excuse for a Santa,” Mrs. Krespo bellowed from one of the tables. “Though I can see why Mommy was caught kissing Santa under the mistletoe if he looked like you.”

“No kissing and telling, Marvin,” Mrs. Krespo muttered, reaching for her coffee cup. “Kaitlyn doesn’t need to know you got lucky last night.” Mr. Krespo’s face turned beet red. “I didn’t tell her that, Evie.” “Well, you might as well have.” Mrs. Krespo gave her husband an assessing look. “I haven’t danced in years. I forgot how good of a dancer you were. It did things to me.”

“Didn’t he have a pet squirrel for a while?” “That was better than the pet skunk that lasted a day.”

She grabbed a box of Kleenex along with a large bag of chocolates because if you were going to have a pity party, you needed to do it right… She was hoping to find a Hallmark movie and live vicariously through the actors and actresses on-screen. Their problems could be fixed in a two-hour time slot on television.

My Review:

This gentle story was perfectly minted for Hallmark, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it listed next year as a holiday movie. I enjoyed this sweet, feel good, small-town tale, it was holiday treat with no calories - although I was frequently taunted with mentions of diet-shattering fudge and other culinary delights. The characters were enticing and highly likable while the storylines and writing were entertaining, engaging, and easy to follow with alternating licks of humor and heart squeezes. With her career in tatters, Kaitlyn packed up and left New York City behind and headed toward her inheritance and only hope, which was her grandparents’ run-down B&B in a small North Carolina town. Although she was unpleasantly surprised to learn she had a partner, one she needed to convince to stay and meet conditions of the will within a two-month time frame or she had nothing. And of course her partner was a handsome and rugged Marine who had other plans in the works, no desire to stay, and an unfortunate history to flee. At least he was smart enough to know that when you mess up and need to grovel, bring a puppy.

Kaitlyn inherited her Grandmother's B & B. But only to find out that Mitch also inherited half of it. Kaitlyn is excited to get the B & B up and running since she just lost her job. Mitch wants nothing to do with it. They have to get it up and running together by so many days and then one can buy out the other half's share. Or sell the property now. The Grandmother seems to be a little bit of a matchmaker and even beyond the grave she knew what she was doing making these 2 work together. I really enjoyed both of them and how they turned a beat up B&B into something special.

This book moved really show for me. I found myself easily distracted wedgie reading. The characters were likable enough, but I couldn't get into the storyline.

Christmas on Mistletoe Lane is a sweet holiday romance which brings together two strangers who jointly inherit a crumbling bed and breakfast and must work together to revive it. Kaitlyn and Mitch are forced together in a small town in North Carolina and the result is a charming story of healing, redemption, hard work, and creativity. Both hold secrets about their pasts that they’d rather not talk about, yet these secrets inform their lives in ways the other can’t dream about. Working on the B&B forces them to confront their pasts, together.
This was a very sweet, feel-good book that left me wanting more (I can’t wait to see which other characters the next books in the series will focus on, there seem to be so many options!). It captured the holiday spirit perfectly, and had a dose of diversity that was highly welcome in the genre.

*I received this book free from Grand Central Publishing - Forever via NetGalley.*

Kaitlyn inherited her grandparent's bed in breakfast, which was perfect because she needed something good to happen in her life. A new beginning. What she didn't anticipate was being only partial owner.

Mitch didn't want to own a bed and breakfast. He surely didn't want to be back in his home town. He wanted to walk away from it all, but something about Kaitlyn convinced him to follow through with the terms of the will. Then he planned to leave as quickly as possible.

Fortunately for Kaitlyn and Mitch grandmothers can play matchmaker even from beyond.

I absolutely loved the B&B guests. They all brought a uniqueness to the story that made it feel more realistic.

Christmas on Mistletoe Lane is the perfect way to put you in that loveable holiday mood. The characters are well developed and the storyline is full of little quirks and humorous moments that keep you entertained.

4 star

I was pulled right into this story. The story has laughs, and heartbreak.


This is Kaitlyn and Mitch’s story. After losing her job in the big city Kaitlyn is loving the small town of Sweetwater Springs. She is running a little bed and breakfast her grandparents left her. Problem is they only left her ½ of bed and breakfast and the other ½ owner is a jerk. He wants out of the town not to be stuck in the town. They have to work together for two months to get the bed and breakfast a success. Can they work together or will him running from the past keep them from completing all the work and making the grand re-opening a success? Can they figure out a way to work together without losing everything?

I loved these characters and the side characters. I felt I could connect with the characters and the story was a great read.

I recommend this book.

As far as I’m concerned it’s never too early to read a Christmas story! This weekend I decided to crack open my first holiday read for the season and it was a such a feel good holiday read. Kaitlyn is looking for a fresh start after leaving New York. Mitch is forced to come back to his hometown when this is the last place he wants to be. I loved Kaitlyn so much, her character was a spitfire and she held no punches. After everything she has gone through she still has a selfless heart and loves to help people. Mitch was so broken and broody. As much as he tried to hide his soft side he couldn’t help it when it came to his mom and Kaitlyn. When you hear his backstory it all makes sense. The book setting takes place in a small town and for some reason I love small town holiday reads the most. I guess it’s because I’m from a big city. The story was centered around the BnB and I loved the diverse set of characters I met while reading. The secondary set of characters were well written and honestly it felt like I was among old friends. This was a wonderful holiday story about taking chances, forgiveness and being with the ones you love. This book had EVERYTHING I love in a holiday read and I highly recommend this story to get you in the spirit!

Christmas on Mistletoe Lane
by Annie Rains
A must read for anyone that loves to read a wonderfully, whimsical Christmas story; filled with cherished memories of the past, love and hope of new beginnings. Following others dreams and fulfilling their desires of happy ever after. Two people thrown back together on a whim of someone they both held dear; a true test of wills, finding true feelings and a testimony of doing what is right. A demonstration of how human nature should be: honoring a dearly departed, sacrificing for others, and being a neighbor, all that only ends up turning in to a blessing in disguise. Finding not only love in the end; but a journey along the way, filled with a bit of mystery and adventure; healing from the pain and anger of rejection; recovering from tragedies and learning to trust others.
Christmas on Mistletoe Lane gives us all that and more; author Annie Rains has given her readers a way of using an imagination to hold on to the past and holding on dreams. Ms. Rains is a truthfully a masterful writer, that has not only gained a new, and dedicated reader; but, an author that deserves a rating of more than just a 5 out of 5, also deserves two thumbs up. A wonderful story, just in time for this years Christmas season. A job well done, thank you

Fantastic Christmas romance! I enjoy reading Christmas love stories and Kaitlyn and Mitch are two characters who are dealing with life’s difficulties and brought together by a loving matchmaking grandmother when she leaves her beloved B&B to her granddaughter. With a twist! I’ve never had the pleasure of reading author Annie Rains before and I’m happy to say I’m going to be reading more of her books in the future. Thanks to NetGalley, Annie Rains and her publisher for letting me read the advanced reader copy of Christmas on Mistletoe Lane.

Sweet, albeit predictable, holiday romance. This generic plot has been done before, but I still enjoyed this rendition. Two people are forced into working together and find more than they bargained for in the process. A quick and fun read.

It is that time of year and we are starting to get our Christmas stories. I love books set around Christmas, such a happy time. This is the first book that I have read by this author and I enjoyed it. I like the Bed and Breakfast setting and I really liked the characters. I will be watching for more of her books

I love when a new series starts off with a Christmas Romance, it’s just a double treat for me combining the joy and magic of Christmas with the unexplored new characters and situations that a new series brings. So I was completely charmed and captured by Christmas on Mistletoe Lane, the beginning of Annie Rains’ new Sweetwater Springs series.

A woman running to, and a man ready to run away from Sweetwater Springs will soon have their lives just a bit manipulated from beyond the grave by Kaitlyn’s grandmother. Mable has left her Bed & Breakfast Inn to both Kaitlyn and Mitch with the stipulation that they must work together in co-ownership, get it renovated, up and running in two short months, eight weeks to work a minor miracle. Seems like Mable had a bit of a matchmaker’s spirit – now to see if her plan pays off in a forever kind of love for two special people.

I was easily drawn in to Christmas on Mistletoe Lane by the intriguing matchmaking efforts of Mable, the charming and quirky characters who live in Sweetwater Springs, and by two people who desperately need something good in their lives, or someone perfect for them. I liked Kaitlyn and Mitch both together and individually. Both have issues, things from their pasts that need dealt with yet both have such strength and determination… and yes, stubbornness, that they counterbalance each other very well. We’ll run into some secondary characters that bring the story alive, and I certainly hope to see more of then throughout this series.

If the magic of a small town Christmas, two people in need of a fresh start, and the unique matchmaking efforts of a loving grandmother appeal to you, then you’ll love Christmas on Mistletoe Lane. It’s an excellent beginning to a series that I plan to follow.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

I couldn't be happier that this is the beginning of a series! As always, Annie Rains created realistic characters with humor and sweetness that the reader can't help but fall in love with.

Mitch and Kaitlyn were a great match from the beginning - both thrown into an intense partnership by someone who loved them both- and they needed each other to get through the difficulties in their own life as well. Their relationship grows organically from obligation to friendship to lovers.

The secondary characters, including family members, friends, and inn guests, add layers of entertainment and sentimentality to the story. I look forward to revisiting all of them in the follow-up books.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a great romance that includes a bit of drama and a lot of humor and lighthearted moments.

Nothing better than kicking off the cooler weather with a feel good love story that includes the holidays!

Kaitlyn inherits her grandmothers B & B, just went her life seems to be falling apart. She sees it as a sign and takes off to run it. Problem is Mitch is involved, even though he doesn't want to be. However without his help, Kaitlyn won't be able to hold on to it.

It takes some convincing but he gets on board, showing her all her grandmother's recipes and all the town has to offer. Throw in some sizzling chemistry and you have a hit with this one.

The Sweetwater B & B has been on the decline for the past several years, but has new hope and a new owner in the form of Kaitlyn Russo. Inheriting the inn from her grandparents, she’s left a ‘situation’ in New York, and packed everything in her new-used car and headed south. She’s arrived in Sweetwater Springs hoping to make a new start and be in charge of her own destiny, ignoring the gossip in New York and her parents’ displeasure. Arriving in the dusty and rather run-down inn, she’s planning on plenty of work and elbow grease to get the inn up and running. But the first hiccup in her plan arrives that first night in the form of Mitch Hargreaves. Local boy who left town at 18 to join the military, with plans to settle the issue of his ‘inheritance’ from Mable and head to a security job in Virginia – breezing in and out of Sweetwater Springs without running into anyone from his past.

Half owners of a non-functioning inn, the terms of the will state that Katie and Mitch have to run the inn, together, for two months- or it will go to a charity. Mitch isn’t happy with the plan – he doesn’t want to stay. And Katie is busily trying to figure out a way to protect her own legacy in the inn while not allowing Mitch to scupper her plans, all while she tries to ignore the current between them. When his planned move to Virginia gets delayed until after the new year, and Mitch’s visit home finds his mother looking ill enough to worry him – he agrees to work with Katie on fixing up the inn, all while making it clear he’s leaving in two months, and won’t get ‘involved’ in more than the ‘outside work’.

Oh this was sweet and clever – Mable (the strangest way to spell that name I’ve ever seen) has a plan – always wanting to match up Katie and Mitch – but neither ever were around at the same time. Katie’s memories of the inn are from odd weeks spent during the summer, while Mitch was a frequent visitor with the couple, learning stories and helping out. With his mother Gladys more than willing to help out, and Katie’s best friend Josie pulling some strings as the editor of a national magazine, while the inn is given a facelift and Katie’s design ideas are set free, the guests start arriving and never stop. Both Katie and Mitch have pasts that have aftereffects – an accident as a teen sent Mitch away from the town with a promise to never return, and her dream job as interior designer to the stars went up in smoke when she was harassed and later fired on the word of a ‘star’. But there’s something that calls to them both- if only they can work past the hiccups and Mitch’s constant “I’m not here for long” refrain. Katie is a natural hostess – and the guests are all happy with their stay, the holiday events of the town offering plenty of community feeling, and the community is one that takes their own into their hearts and under their wing. Rains managed to make these two very disparate people join in the one thing that everyone wants – to belong and feel wanted, and with a few hiccups along the way, they find their way to new possibilities and potential.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at < a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-a4u/” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>