In Meet Me Under the Mistletoe, Elinor (Nory) owns a secondhand bookshop where she struggles to part with her special finds. Even so, she loves matching each one with the perfect customer, knowing the books will be well-appreciated in their new homes. Nory was once the scholarship kid at boarding school, constantly feeling like she needed to prove herself to both her new private school peers and her working-class family and neighbors who hated what the school stood for. Now in her thirties, Nory is heading home for the upcoming nuptials of two of her boarding school friends. The gang drifted apart following graduation, but the loss of their friend Tristan to suicide made them prioritize staying in touch. A one-week stay in a castle leading up to the wedding makes Nory nervous even though she loves time with her friends. A one-night stand that never should have happened haunts her, especially since Guy will be at the castle with his wife-- the wife Nory didn't know about. The wife who might not know what happened. Plus, it's so easy to fall into old mindsets, mediating between the two parts of her life and contorting herself to fit in with either camp.

Luckily for poor Nory, her book shop and cat will be in good hands for her little holiday, and there's a surprise waiting for her at the castle. She has the opportunity to rekindle a teenage crush when it turns out Isaac has taken over as head gardener at the castle. Between managing drama with her friends, sneaking off to stargaze and admire flowers over a cup of tea with Isaac, and fending off her brother's attempts to prevent a relationship between his little sister and best friend, Nory has a full week ahead. It's a well-rounded story with a delightful cast of messy characters, which I enjoyed. Nory has complicated relationships with her friends which she likens to family bonds-- imperfect and with long histories but no less loving. The author handles the emotions and jokes that come with such committed, lived-in friendships with aplomb, striking a great balance between serious and light moments. In addition to the commentary on class that frequents the book, there's also a bit of conversation about race, especially as it pertains to a secret in Isaac's family history. I appreciated those aspects of the book and only wish that two Harry Potter references didn't sneak their way in as a way of framing the boarding school experience.

When it comes to the romance, it's a sweet, light-hearted affair between two homebodies who like quiet, nerdy hobbies. Aka I loved it, and there was still plenty of tension as they navigate the slightly forbidden nature of Isaac "fraternizing" with a guest and Nory's brother sticking his nose in where it's not wanted, sure that someone will end up heartbroken. It's a fade-to-black romance, but not in a way I found annoying. It fits the vibe of the book, emphasizing stolen kisses and moments.

Unfortunately, many of the things I was enjoying about the book came to a screeching halt in the final act breakup. It's extra horrific because of how well things were going up to that point. There's a lot of self-awareness and feelings talk only for Nory to ignore the express wishes of her partner in her crusade to be "helpful." And it's extra bad since she's a white woman meddling with something in Isaac's life that involves racism and privilege. If there was ever a time to listen instead of act on your assumptions, this is it. I had to put the book down for a minute I was so mad at a decision she makes. I can't get into the invasiveness of the transgressions in detail because ~spoilers~ but just know there are layers on layers of Nory's foolishness. Worse, Nory's friends and family are overly sympathetic, like "he should have listened to your explanation since your intentions were good." At least Nory has the sense not to buy into that nonsense, but it seems to come more from a sense of self-flagellation than reason. In the end, they ~both~ apologize which seems unfair, and Isaac insists she was indeed being helpful rather than overstepping. Which is some bullshit. In this case, the single POV was a hindrance because I think a dual POV romance inherently makes sure both characters have to actually own their mistakes and seek forgiveness whereas Nory just suffers the estrangement and is then welcomed back as if it was only a misunderstanding and not a misstep that deserves reparations and a shifted mindset to prevent repeat performances.

This is a sweet Christmastime romance with friendship, a castle, and personal growth. It centers the romance among multiple interesting plots and balances the many conflicting feelings life sends our way. Just know there's a protracted, messy final act breakup that's then wrapped up in a blink. So if that dynamic bothers you or you want something a bit spicier, this one might not be for you. Thanks to Putnam for my copy to read and review!

I'll caveat this with it probably just wasn't for me and wasn't what I was expecting. I was expecting more of a lighthearted Christmas story and this was not that for me. A lot more complicated relationships - didn't care for the characters all that much.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for providing a free ARC in exchange for my honest review. I am a mood reader and this will absolutely get you in the holiday spirit! I loved the mashup of two different worlds colliding, and how the characters mixed together. The setting made the perfect backdrop for this delightful holiday book! A must-read for anyone wanting a deliciously cozy romance!

I have come to love Jenny Bayliss' writing and this splendid holiday romance is just another example of her fantastic writing and addicting stories. I love how this book was paced and how lovely the entire experience was. You will laugh and cry and fall in love with this story!

I really loved this novel. I love the fact that the heroine is not perfect and she is very relatable. It was a fun read and one that I think looks at the world in a beautiful way.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick. I just reviewed Meet Me Under the Mistletoe by Jenny Bayliss. Our library purchased and our patrons have been checking out and and enjoying the book. I see it is a popular book club choice as well we hope to have more oppurtinies to support authors like Jenny Bayliss

Thank you for the copy! This was definitely a little different than typical cozy Christmas rom coms. A lot more emotional than I was expecting and a lot to wrap your head around if reading to discuss as soon many topics are mentioned. That being said it did drag in some places and feel as if a checklist was being crossed off to include different topics because they were mentioned, but not thoroughly covered as part of the main storyline. I absolutely LOVED the setting and would have continued reading just for that and will continue to read books by this author as I enjoyed the writing style as well.

Such a fun holiday/Christmas themed read. Loved all of the characters. Especially the main heroine, Elinor aka Nory (which is such a cute nickname but the way). A two sides of the track love story which a wonderful happy ending. I found myself rooting hard for the couple. I did start out slow and took me awhile to get into it, but so glad I stuck with it. There is a bit of spice (which I like) and overall very cute story.

cover is super cute and premise of the novel was well put together. characters were a bit immature for me and i didn’t completely like the main conflicts in this novel but still a great holiday read.

cw: death of a friend, suicide, alcoholism, class issues, cheating

Nory is happy running her secondhand bookshop. She loves being around the books that have history to the point where she really struggles to let them go. When her friends invite her oldest friends to spend time at a castle in the time leading up to a wedding, it’s a good break, but also going to be emotional. The reunion brings up a lot. As Nory starts to form a bond with Isaac, the gardener, things only seem to get more complicated.

The title and the cover give the impression that this would be a holiday romance. It’s quick to unravel that and make it clear that it’s not the holiday romance it might seem to be. Meet Me Under the Mistletoe is a lot heavier than one might be expecting. It’s certainly not what I was expecting coming into it.

Nory has a large friend group which led to a lot of side stories. A lot of side stories that made it difficult to keep up with everyone and what was going on them from time to time. Beyond that, all the other things, death of a friend, suicide, alcoholism, class issues, cheating, is a lot to deal with in one book. I think having more of a focus would have done this book good. Whether it’s just between Isaac and Nory or even focusing on a few less deeper topics it might have gone a long way.

The pacing felt off. Between the side stories and everything the author was trying to fit into here, the story felt too long. There were moments when everything seemed all crammed together and others when nothing was happening.

Beyond all of that, for something with a cover and title like it has, there is a strong lack of holiday vibes that through me off for the whole story, but right now I don’t know if having more holiday vibes would have saved this book for me.

While I don’t think this was the book for me, I also don’t think it was a bad book. If you have liked the author’s other works and go into this knowing there is a lot of holiday vibes, then I say give it a chance!

"Meet Me Under the Mistletoe" by Jenny Bayliss is a heartwarming and delightful romance that captures the magic of the holiday season and the joy of unexpected connections. Bayliss' storytelling prowess shines as she crafts a tale of love, second chances, and the warmth of Christmas spirit. The book's relatable characters and charming plot create an immersive reading experience that resonates with fans of both romance and Christmas stories. Bayliss skillfully weaves together themes of family, community, and the power of love, adding layers of depth to the narrative. "Meet Me Under the Mistletoe" is a tender reminder that the holidays have a way of bringing people together, leaving readers with a cozy and contented feeling as they immerse themselves in the characters' journey of love and holiday magic.

Don’t we all love cozy Christmas Romance? Under the Mistletoe was like an upgraded Hallmark movie to me. I love the main character, Elinor Noel- not just because she has the most holiday sounding name but more because she was a bookstore keeper! This holiday season will
be quite different for Elinor since she will be celebrating a friend getting married. The cheer of the blissful Christmas just got even better when that mistletoe will work its own magic for Elinor.
This was a fast read, perfect for the season paired with some hot coco or eggnog while snuggling by the fire under the blanket while carols are playing in the background!

Thank you Putnam Books via Netgalley for the e-arc for review.

This is a really cute book.
I was into it from the start. It was easy to get into. It did feel slow at some parts. The plot twist close to the end is what made it a 3 star read for me. I felt like there could have been more build up. I wanted a little more from this book.

Overall, a cute holiday read.

It’s not Christmas until I read a Jenny Bayliss novel. They’re as dependable as fresh snickerdoodles and cooler weather to get me in the holiday spirit.

The sweetest holiday book. Full of romance, best friendships, and’s a touch of miscommunication trope. I did, however, find myself skimming just abut near the end to get to the end. Loads of details for a sweet, rom-com - but can I fault the author for doing what she does best?! Absolutely recommend for a wintery, holiday read.

I did not like this book at first; I didn't understand the point of the story, where it was headed or what was was going to happen. I didn't care enough to find out. But then about halfway through, things start to pick up and the story developed.

Let me start off with the things I didn't like; I hated Isaac and I hated Nory's family. I was not a fan of the way they talked about others, I didn't like how they were so nasty and close minded about people who had more money than them. The way they blew off Nory's friends and how Nory's brother looked down upon his own sister, it really bothered me and almost ruined the book.

I hated it even more because Nory's friends weren't like that; they were welcoming and seemed like nice people.

My dislike of Isaac really affected how I saw him with Nory; I wasn't rooting for them nor did I want them to end up together. He made me uncomfortable and I just was a little weirded out by him.

On the other hand, I loved Nory's friends, I loved the bond they had and how they were just seamlessly in each other's lives, with their own language and traditions. It was so sweet and special and brought the entire story together. I loved hearing about their back stories and watching how they all flowed. It was beautiful.

The story didn't feel very Christmasy at first but then, when you get to the climax of the novel and things start moving fast, Christmas became a main character. The fact that this story took place in both London and the English countryside was very cozy, and having Nory be a bookshop owner was so cute. It gave her a little more personality.

All in all, I thought this was an adorable Christmas read with a great group of characters that was sweet and entertaining.

Overall, a feel-good Brit Chick Lit Christmas story with interesting and dynamic characters. I loved the author's previous Christmas boons,, so I was especially excited to read this one. It lived up to the challenge, though it was heavier in a few points than I anticipated - but not overly so. It allowed for well-developed characters that you gained a relationship with. A fantastic book by a fantastic author. Highly recommend!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion. .

Loved the story overall! Just a sweet and heartfelt story that’s perfect for the holidays. I loved how raw the characters were and it had such a great ending!

Man, this one hurts me to not love. I wanted to really enjoy this one as I love Bayliss 99.9% of the time. However, this story just didn't do it for me. I was bored more times than not. "Meet Me Under the Mistletoe" was a bit more contemporary fiction and less romance, which I thought I was getting with the cover -- which I absolutely love BTW. That gets the all the stars. I do think the book was a bit busy -- lots of characters and tons of side plots -- which Isn't something I enjoy. I need main character energy, ya know?

This was a cute read but in a way, unmemorable. I loved the bookshop portions and Mugwort, the cat, but there were a few too many characters. I found it difficult to keep everyone’s story straight and did not connect with any specific character. Not my favorite Jenny Bayliss, but I will continue to read anything written by her! Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this e-ARC for my honest review.