"The Mistletoe Mystery" is a delightful and engaging holiday read that deftly combines festive charm with an intriguing whodunit. The author excels at creating a cozy atmosphere that captures the essence of the season, while weaving a compelling mystery that keeps readers guessing. The characters are well-drawn and add warmth to the story, making it a pleasure to spend time in their company. Though the plot unfolds predictably at times, the overall execution is satisfying and enjoyable. This book is a perfect choice for fans of lighthearted mysteries and holiday cheer, offering both entertainment and a touch of seasonal magic.

An easy novella to get through featuring Molly and Juan during the holiday season. No fluff, not too much to the story and very predictable, just a little cozy mystery - it makes for a quick read to enjoy if you are a fan of Nita Prose.

The Mistletoe Mystery: A Maid Novella by Nita Prose, book 2.5 in the maid series.

I rated this book 3.25 stars.

Was very excited to get back to Molly the Maid! Enjoyed the book, a quick and easy read. This novella follows Molly and Juan Manuel in the time leading up to Christmas, they have been together a couple of years now. Liked seeing a development in their relationship compared to the second book where you don’t really see much of him.

Did this book need to be its own book of 11 chapters… No, but it at least gives readers that bit of romance some were looking for in the 2nd book.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

If you loved The Maid and The Mystery Guest, get ready to have a Molly Jolly Christmas with this charming novella featuring loveable, literal Molly the Maid and her devoted boyfriend Juan Manuel. Christmas is just around the corner, and the staff at the Regency Grand Hotel is preparing for their annual Christmas party and Secret Santa gift exchange.

Although the mystery was easier for me as the reader to suss out than it was for Molly, this novella is everything I want in a heartwarming Christmas story. At 128 pages, it’s short and just as sweet as Juan Manuel’s Christmas cookies! I loved the focus on Molly and Juan’s romance and the nods to O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi.” All your favorite Regency Grand staff members make an appearance, from the adorable Mr. Preston to lazy shirker Cheryl.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine Books for providing me advance copies of this book.

Molly the Maid is back in this Christmas twist. Molly misses his Gran terribly this season. Her Gran used to make magical and now her boyfriend, Juan Manuel has taken over that tradition.
As the Christmas work party nears, Molly notices that Juan Manuel is acting stranger and another mystery is upon us. But not to worry! This one doesn’t involve murder and everything will be just as it should.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House- Ballentine for the ARC.

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★ ★ ★ ★
𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: October 01, 2024
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:

This was a great little addition to the Molly The Maid series. I loved all of the characters, the backdrop/setting of the story and I think that if you are looking for yet another cute little mystery read for this holiday season, this book is a great one to pick up and sit down to devour. This was fun, fast & cozy little read.

𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Christmas Atmosphere, Secret Santa, Cozy, Nostalgia, Mystery

Cute, fast, and cozy. The Mistletoe Mystery is a fun entry in The Maid series. Molly’s unique set of rules and logic on full display. This novella was light on mystery, but still enjoyable. I look forward to whatever comes next. Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC through NetGallery.

This book is the perfect Christmas gift to give yourself, or to another reader!

The title stating the word “mystery” intrigued me as much as the fact that it was book 3.5 in the series by the brilliant Nita Prose featuring the endearing character, Molly The Maid. From the fact that it is only 128 pages, I knew it was a novella I would read quickly.

I was expecting a murder mystery like in the first 2 books, and was a bit disappointed halfway through that no crime had been committed, yet the books is enchanting, and lured me to continue to read the smooth as butter narration in the first person (Molly). The entire book was fascinating.
The Mystery part of the plot is slowly unraveled in the last third of the book. The ending is so fulfilling, and appeals to all of us. I was in tears as I read the final pages that came too soon.

This book has a lesson for all of us: We need to remember that the greatest gift is love.

The Mistletoe Mystery was a decent read, but it didn't quite live up to the hype for me. Prose's writing style is quirky and charming, and the holiday setting adds a festive touch. I enjoyed following along as protagonist Nell unraveled the mystery, but the plot itself felt a bit predictable. The clues were a bit too obvious, and the resolution lacked the satisfying twist I was hoping for. It's a lighthearted and enjoyable cozy mystery, perfect for curling up with on a winter evening, but it didn't leave a lasting impression.

This was okay, I think I'm too the point that I don't need anymore of Molly the maid. I don't think it's a series that should continue past the two main novels. I was okay with a Novella but it disappointed me. I think we just aren't getting anything new, each book is very similar.

Thank you for this arc.

I’ve always cherished Molly and Juan, and I had high hopes for this novella, especially with the Christmas season approaching. While there were a few misunderstandings along the way, my affection for Molly never wavered. The author's touch was evident, and I trusted they’d bring the story to a satisfying close. Overall, this novella was a pleasant read for the holiday time, and Molly remains my forever favorite character. A warm and enjoyable addition to the festive season!

Nita Prose returns with The Mistletoe Mystery, a heartwarming novella that brings back Molly Gray, the lovable maid from her previous works (The Maid and The Mystery Guest). This time, Prose shifts away from high-stakes murder mysteries and delves into the complexities of romantic relationships, offering a cozy holiday read that retains her signature charm and wit.

Molly, now head maid at the Regency Grand Hotel, is living in bliss with her boyfriend Juan Manuel. However, cracks begin to appear when Juan’s behavior becomes increasingly secretive, particularly regarding the staff's Secret Santa exchange. Prose explores Molly's insecurities in a way that feels deeply relatable and reflective of the uncertainties we often face in relationships. The novella’s tone is light and humorous, with Molly and Juan’s antics providing a sitcom-like feel, as noted by Publishers Weekly. The suspense is low-key, but the joy lies in Prose's engaging writing and the endearing personalities of her characters.

Readers looking for a high-stakes mystery might find this installment a little too light, but it’s perfect for those wanting to curl up with a sweet, festive story. Despite its predictability, The Mistletoe Mystery is packed with holiday cheer, making it a charming addition to your seasonal reading list.

This novella is ideal for fans of cozy mysteries and holiday romances who are more interested in character-driven plots than intricate mysteries​.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing me with an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review. I love Molly the Maid! This is a wonderful heartwarming Christmas story with Molly the Maid solving yet another mystery. This is a great short story to put you in the holiday spirit!

The Mistletoe Mystery (Molly the Maid #2.5) by Nita Prose 🎄🎄🎄

I would like to thank NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing me with an advance e-galley in exchange for an honest review. Look for it in your local and online bookstores and libraries on October 1, 2024.

I love Molly the Maid and I love this series. The Mistletoe Mystery is just a little taste of Christmas in Molly’s world. It’s sweet and heartwarming.

“As we decorate, it occurs to me that a Christmas tree holds so much more than ornaments. Resting on all those boughs is a treasure trove of memories that remain long after the tree is gone and Christmas itself is over for another year.”
— Nita Prose, The Mistletoe Mystery

I really enjoyed the first 2 books in this series and thought that Molly the maid was a charming character. Maybe because it was a novella but this one didn’t hit the same way for me that the others did. This focused on Molly and Juan’s relationship and focused less on the hotel.

I fell in love with Molly the maid when the first book came out so I was very excited to get an early copy of this holiday novella. Coming in at about 130 pages, this is a quick and delightful read full of holiday spirit. This book set out to fill in a relatively piece of information and then fill in the novella about it. I ate this book up and devoured it in about an hour. To say I didn’t want to put it down is an understatement. Then I didn’t want it to end! I just love Molly and Juan Manuel so much. The holidays at the hotel seem magical and I think the author did a great job describing it so I felt the magic on the page. This was the epitome of holiday coziness. Of course, there was a little mystery and intrigue, but it felt very deliberate and I knew exactly what was going on. I don’t think the reader was supposed to not be able to guess the mystery in this novella, and that was ok, it was still just such a treat and delight to read.

Christmas at The Regency Grand Hotel with Molly, Juan Manuel, and all their friends. This was so cute and wholesome! Lovely story spreading warm holiday cheer with signature Molly mystery, one that she couldn’t crack herself 😉

I absolutely love these characters and this novella had quite a bit of plot packed into it. Molly’s distinct storytelling and Gran’s memory is my favorite part of this series. So fun to see all the hotel staff and the great bond they created with Molly as Head Maid. Cannot wait to read the next book!

Thank you Ballantine Books for the review copy.

I'm a fan of the Molly the Maid series and was delighted to read this novella. It's a short story set at Christmas time. Don't expect a crazy mystery or wild plot, but rather a peek inside Molly's inner world and relationships in a cozy, holiday setting. I look forward to more books by Nita Prose, especially about Molly.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I received a temporary digital copy of The Mistletoe Mystery from NetGalley, Ballantine Books and the author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The holiday season is upon Molly and she is extremely excited to share the celebrations with Juan Manuel, that is until he starts acting extremely strange. Can Molly still trust Juan Manuel after catching him in lies and seeing him walk out of another woman's hotel room?

The Mistletoe Mystery is a charming installment of the Molly the Maid series. I wouldn't say it is a must read; it is incredibly obvious what is happening throughout the mini-installment for the reader and what the outcome will most likely be; however, if you want a enjoyable and quick holiday read, pick it up.

I am always happy to find a new Molly the Maid story. This novella is less interesting than her other books because the "mystery" that Molly is solving in this book will be completely obvious to most people. I think this is on purpose as this is an easy way to portray Molly's personality (how she takes everything literally) to the average reader. I hope Prose is planning to keep writing about Molly solving more actual mysteries.
Thank you to #netgalley and #randomhousepublishing for my ARC of this book.