I started reading this thinking it was the typical Christmasey story about boy meets girl and they fall in love in a Christmas setting... not my favourite thing if im honest... but what I got was one of the best friends to lovers books I've read this year (that you can actually read at any time of the year!).
The shenanigans that happened in this book... oh my lord! I absolutely loved it! In this book we meet Gavin and Julie, two ride or die best friends who will find themselves in a reverse parents trap situation, organized by their families so they can -finally- see/acknowledge their true feelings. Now, will they finally realize that their mutual love for each other is not really that platonic but actually love-love? This book was full of hilarity and a lot of what the heck moments that will have you clutching your belly from laughter. I adored the side characters on this one, especially Niki (she was amazing!) and Holt (I need Jason's book asap!) But really all of this crazy cast of people were a delight to read. Fully recommend this book!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I truly love the best friends to lovers themes in books. But Julie and Gavin are spectacular together. You could truly feel their lifelong friendship with how they acted not only with one another, but also with their respective families. What an awesome thing to have - another family you are so close to that they truly become your own family. It was very sweet and heartwarming (maybe a tad bit too meddling, lol)to see how the parents (and grandparents) worked to get them together along with seeing the match from when they were infants. There were a couple of moments my heart broke and hurt along with our characters. It was like I wanted to scream "NOOOOO! Don't do it!" But thankfully with a few key characters and conversations, a happy ending was reached - insert huge smiling sigh. This was a very touching story.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through Netgalley.

Julie & Gavin have been best friends forever. They are constantly frustrated with their families throwing them into romantic situations. How many times do they have to tell them they are JUST friends! Until this time. They have both come home for the holidays, even though Gavin’s is a forced vacation. As the quarterback for a pro team, he injured his shoulder & is supposed to be resting it. Would this be the magic moment that their parents dreams come true? Or will Gavin’s hang up about long distance relationships torpedo their chances?

I really enjoy the characters in this story. The families interfere constantly but only because they see the feelings that Julie & Gavin don’t see. The small town atmosphere lends itself to the family interference. Everyone seems to be in on it. If you are looking for a feel good story set during the holidays, give this one a try.

This year, Christmas came early for me, thanks to Cindi Madsen and her festive read ‘The Mistletoe Trap.’ This friends to lovers romance was just what I needed to get me into the holiday spirit and give me a severe case of the warm and fuzzies.

Often with sports romances, the hero is a douchebag, manwhore, or has an ego the size of the north pole. What I liked about Gavin was that he was none of those things. Even though he returned home for Christmas injured with his career up in the air, he remained down to earth and didn't use it as an excuse to behave like an asshole.

Julie was cute as a button, had the perfect sidekick (a cat named kylo ren), and the most unique personality. The awkward and sometimes embarrassing pathology assistant tended to use an excess of medical terminology and couldn't help but tell stories of things she’d come across in the lab.

“Would you rather hear about the hairball that was removed from a stomach—it was as big as my hand, I kid you not—or the benign ovarian tumor with teeth? Oh, and there was also a guy with type two diabetes who had to have part of his penis amputated.”

Julie returned home for Christmas, excited to catch up with Gavin after so long apart. But she also had another goal in mind. To have a fling. Her ex-boyfriend stated that she was boring, and the sex was lackluster, so after consulting with Kylo Ren, she devised a plan.

But with meddling parents from both Gavin and Julies’ side, things got messy. There was mistletoe coming out of every orifice of the house, a plumbing issue that forced the friends into close proximity, and a toy drive featuring Christmas costumes from hell.

“Mommy, that elf reached up the other elf’s skirt,” Julie heard. “And then she tore off his shirt.”

I lost count of the number of times I laughed while reading this book.

My favorite scene was the first kiss. Staying true to the theme, it involved green icing and Christmas biscuits. My second favorite was when the sex scene rolled around, and Julie stayed true to her personality by being a little quirky in the bedroom.

But what I admired the most was the pre-existing friendship between Gavin and Julie. There was no doubt they shared a special bond and already had a vast amount of precious memories from their years of friendship.

Too often, authors TELL us that the couple are friends without proving it. Cindi Masden did the exact opposite.

I could babble all day about this book, that's how much I loved it!!

Thank you, Netgalley and Entangled Publishing, for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Mistletoe Trap by Cindi Madsen

Heart in the Game series book 2. Contemporary holiday romance. Can be read as a stand-alone. Friends to lovers troupe.

Julie and Gavin grew up together. They’ve been best friends their whole lives and they are comfortable as friends.
Julie and Gavin’s parents have been planning their children's marriage to each other since before Julie and Gavin could even crawl. So they pull out all the tricks at the holiday get together. From mistletoe all around the house to setting up Julie for a date with another man, they know that Julie and Gavin belong together.
But they live in two different states and each has a successful career. Even if they wanted to be closer, the logistics would be insurmountable. Right?

A fun loving and entertaining read, this novel has all the family and BFF to lover feels. The excitement of a new relationship; the joys of family together at holidays; the romance of being that once special person.
Oh sure, there’s a twist and some denial and further issues that have to be dealt with, but it’s a romance so we all know how it’s going to end. For which I’m immeasurably happy.
Loved it.

Excerpt:
“Gavin, I desperately need results. My self-esteem can’t take another hit.”
When she put it that way, how could he refuse? Somehow, he was only now realizing how tightly she had him wound around her finger. Because she was his person. That one special someone who was there through the ups and downs, no matter what. She’d been the first one he called when he’d been drafted, and when the offer with the Mustangs came in, he’d discussed it with her before anyone else.”
Excerpt from The Mistletoe Trap by Cindi Madsen

I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I purchased a copy to share.

Do you need a feel good read to get you ready for the holidays? Then Mistletoe Trap is the fun friends to more you are looking for.

Julie and Gavin have literally been friends forever. It was so much fun watching these 20 somethings deal with the shenanigans of family pushing them together while they tried to decide if they wanted to keep denying that they had feeing for each other.

Ms Madsen did a fantastic job with the grand gesture needed to make things right again - this book has made me super curious about the first book in the series and what may be coming next.

This fun, Christmasy best friends to lovers romance is a great way to get into the spirit of the season.

Scientist Julie and pro quarterback Gavin seem an unlikely pair to be best friends, let alone a couple. But they have awesome friendship, and when the chemistry clicks over a shared family Christmas, they move beyond the friends zone.

I really enjoyed Gavin as a hero, and his teammates were a fun addition to the story. I haven’t read many sports romances, but this on was fun and made me curious about others by the author.

In many ways, this felt like a sexy Hallmark movie, with a Christmas pageant, decorating cookies, and even dressing up to work a Christmas bazaar. There is wonderful Christmas elements, but also lots of steam.

The author did a great job creating interesting characters that I wanted to spend time with. I look forward to seeing what happens in the next book.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley in return for a fair review.

This was such a sweet read. I love the characters. And I really love the theme friends to lovers.
This was reverse parent trap, and this was just a sweetest idea. This is like the mash up the parent trap meets the ugly truth meats the love actually.
I love romance and Christmas. This just gave me the tingles.
This is a solid 4 read. This is a feel good read.
I know this is a second book in te series, but you can read it as a stand alone.
Now I am hooked, and I just need to read the whole series. 💖

Gavin is a star quarterback and this is his first year on this team, he is still trying to prove himself and rebuild the team. However when he gets injured he has some extra time at home over the holidays to recover. He is looking forward to spending time with his family but also with his best friend Julie.

Julie is still licking her wounds from an ex who called her boring in bed. She is trying to gain her confidence back and thinks a little holiday fling might just do the trick. Who better to be her wingman than her best friend. Her mother sets her up on a date, and it goes not as well as expected.

Julie is adorably awkward, says everything that is on her mind, including random anatomy facts. It leads to many laugh out loud moments. Her friendship with Gavin was really cute, and their conversations and chemistry was undeniable. Both families played a not so subtle role in trying to get them together and realize sometimes friends are the best lovers.

The perfect read to get you in the holiday spirit. From start to finish I adored this book. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite genres and this book didn't disappoint. I loved the amount of humor thrown it it makes the story more relatable. The writing was planned out perfectly and the slow burn really added to this read. Having a couple instantly get together makes the read less enjoyable. This author did and incredible job and I look forward to reading more from her.

Very cute Christmas story. Gavin and Julie grew up best friends, actually they were the children of best friend so their die was cast many years ago. Gavin injured is shoulder, a hiccup in his NFL career, is home for the holidays and can't wait to get some alone time with his best friend, Julie. Julie is coming off of a bad breakup with her ex's parting remarks of her being boring had her down, what a perfect time to have a holiday fling while she's back home in her hometown. From matchmaking mommas to tight holiday outfits to a trial and error flirting this book will have you laughing, sighing and feeling as Gavin and Julie fight the mistletoe that seem to sprout up everywhere. Lots of chemistry and almost kisses that make you root for the couple. Can best friends survive the next step, can distance pull them apart? A real entertaining holiday read.

Julie and Gavin have always been the best of friends, so much so, that their parents think they should take their friendship to a whole new level and be together. They think they would be perfect for one another. They have always dropped hints when they could hoping it might inspire one of them to finally make the move, but Julie and Gavin are content being just friends.

When they both head home for the holidays they instantly know the moment they walk through their families' door's that something is up. Their parents are on a mission to make this Christmas about more than reuniting with family and friends, they are determined to unite them as a couple once and for all.
So Julie and Gavin play along with their scheme, but before long their comfortable little reunion starts to turn into something else entirely... a sexy, steamy little something!

The Mistletoe Trap is a wonderfully crafted holiday tale that will leave your heart brimming with happiness and love. These two were the perfect pairing, even if they struggled to see it at first. I loved watching them put up a good fight against their families matchmaking scheme, and eventually start to fall for one another. Their story was light-hearted, funny, sweet, sexy, and so good for the soul... from beginning to end these two had me smiling! If you are a holiday romance lover then I have no doubt this one will strike a cord with you, it has everything necessary to put you in the perfect holiday mood! Highly recommend!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.

This book had some of my favorite things: friends-to-lovers, sports (especially football!) and a women in a STEM field. And oh yes, over the top family who love to meddle. It had all the makings of a Christmas Hallmark movie and left me smiling. This was a fun story and I look forward to reading the other books in this series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for giving me an ARC of this book.

The Mistletoe Trap by Cindi Madsen was a such a fun, light and charming read. You cannot get any better than friends to lovers during the holidays. Gavin and Julie have always been friends and they are happy with things how they are. But their families have different ideas. They have always known how good they would be together. And yet, Julie and Gavin are friends and trust each other. They were comfortable together. End of story, right?

This is a slow burn romance where Julie and Gavin spend time together and slowly realize there could be something else. It was just so much fun to read and I got lost in their story.

Happy reading!

THE MISTLETOE TRAP is the second full-length instalment in Cindi Madsen’s contemporary, adult HEART IN THE GAME romance series focusing on the players and management of the NFL’s San Antonio Mustangs. This is injured quarterback Gavin Frost, and pathologist Julie O’Neill’s story line. THE MISTLETOE TRAP can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Julie and Gavin) THE MISTLETOE TRAP follows the best friends to lovers relationship between quarterback Gavin Frost, and pathologist Julie O’Neill. Best friends since they were toddlers, Julie and Gavin never once crossed the proverbial line of friendship but with the approach of the Christmas holidays all bets are off when their meddling families push our couple together at every opportunity. From costumed elves to an evening of sexy cookie decorating, Gavin and Julie find themselves swirling in the aura of palpable sexual tension but when the parents try and set up Julie with the someone else, Gavin volunteers to teach Julie in the art of seduction, and stop her from blurting out about her most recent pathological examinations. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Gavin and Julie, and the potential fall-out as Gavin struggles between head and heart, and a life without the game that he loves.

The relationship between Julie and Gavin is a best friends to lovers that struggles in the face of denial. Julie refuses to acknowledge there is something than friendship more between our couple as Gavin struggles to keep control of his desire for the woman that calls to his heart. As the parents continue to push the couple together, Julie and Gavin are either oblivious or reluctant to act on their attraction. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. The sexual chemistry is palpable and spirited.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and fun secondary and supporting characters including ormer quarterback Lance Quaid and his fiancé Charlotte James (The Wedding Deal #1), as well as several team members including Jason Holt, and Coach Bryant; both Gavin and Julie’s meddling parents, and Gavin’s sister Niki ; family friend Kory Cohen; and a cameo appearance by Gavin’s ex girlfriend Kristen.

THE MISTLETOE TRAP is a reverse take on Disney’s™ The Parent Trap with all of the hijinks and matchmaking schemes to push our couple together. An inter-racial love story wherein Gavin struggles with the potential fall-out of a long distance relationship, and Julie battles the heart break of losing her best friend. The premise is entertaining, engaging and inviting; the characters are fun and flirty; the romance is seductive and captivating.



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This was a fun Christmas read. It's a Hallmark movie (if Hallmark movies were allowed to have R rated scenes). It's a friends to lovers romance with some meddling families thrown in. I really enjoyed our main characters and that each one allowed the other to be who they are. It was sweet. It was sexy. My only real complaint is that the meddling families can be a bit much/over the top, but not so bad that it ruined the book.

Oh my! Where to begin? The Mistletoe Trap was just what I needed to indulge in this weekend. First of all, friends to lovers tropes are my personal fave and Julie and Gavin were the sweetest best friends. You can feel their chemistry and I was on the edge of my seat waiting for “it” to finally happen. It’s a slow burn that will leave you totally satisfied and MORE!!! Thank you for this steamy, perfect, Christmas treat! Loved it!

This book was such a joy to read! After watching Midnight at the Magnolia on Netflix I got those vibes from reading this. Such a wonderful friends to lovers Christmas romance. I could NOT put it down. ❄️🎅🏻

This is the second book in the Heart in the Game Series. And I’m excited to read the first book!

I received this books from #netgalley for my honest review!

Title: The Mistletoe Trap
Author: Cindy Madsen
Publisher: Entangled
@entangled_publishing

Julie and Gavin’s parents are best friends. So it was destined since birth that they would be best friends too! Except; According to their parents it was destined since birth that they would be husband & wife!

Julie is a research Doctor in Arizona. Gavin is a starting quarterback for the San Antonio Mustangs (🙄 I wish they used a real team…but I digress) They both are headed to their small town Colorado homes for Christmas. They have no idea that once again their parents will be trying their best to show them that they aren’t just best friends, but actually in love with each other!

This book is the second it the ‘Heart in the Game’ series but reads as a standalone.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 I loved this holiday themed romance. I was rooting for these characters separately and together. The Mom’s were hilarious with their antics to get these two together. I enjoyed the family, siblings and all the secondary characters. Great dialogue and witty banter. Comfy and predictable, but enjoyable none-the-less.

Thank you to @netgalley and @entangled_publishing for honoring my request to read and review this eARC. It’s out today - 11/16/20! Put it on your holiday to be read list.

I received a copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley. It does not impact my review.

What I Liked:

*I love a good Friends to More Romance and Madsen does them well. I really enjoyed Julie and Gavin’s friendship and shipped them to get together.

*Though I thought their parents bordered on rude and over the top sometimes when it came to wanting Julie and Gavin to be together, I did really like how close their families were. It’s nice to see happy marriages and even nicer to see big, happy families. It made me wish my family was as close to another as Julie and Gavin’s are.

*I liked the small town and all the cute holiday traditions.

*While I had some problems with the evolution of their relationship (I’ll get to that), I liked the big, cheesy, romantic gesture at the end. It was cute and made me smile.

What Didn’t Work for Me:

*I’m not a fan of the whole “looking for a casual fling” thing. After Julie breaks up with her boyfriend and he calls her boring, she decides she needs a fling to prove she’s not boring and also improve her bedroom skills. This is kind of a common Romance plotline and I never appreciate it. It made me like Julie a little less.

*I also am not a fan of the Friends-with-Benefits plotline. Though we know that the couple are obviously in love with each other, I didn’t like that they – especially Gavin – chalked it up to just being a new physical attraction and wanted to work it out of their systems and then move on with their friendship. I also didn’t like how either one of them handled the fall out when they realized it wasn’t that simple.

*I thought the book was a little longer than it needed to be. For how little actually happens in the book, it could have been about half the length.

Overall

Overall, I did enjoy The Mistletoe Trap. Though it’s definitely not my favorite Madsen book, it had it’s cute moments and helped put me in the holiday mood. If you’re looking for a Christmas Romance, you should give this one a try.

Overall Rating (out of 5): 3 Stars