A quick, fun, easy read that fans of the series will love to get cozy and immerse themselves in come holiday season. I love Molly and her quirky personality. It was cute and I can't wait for the next full-length novel in the series.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for a complimentary copy of this novel! Molly the Maid is back again in this magical and heartwarming novella, but this time the mystery she has to solve is her own. With Christmas right around the corner, both Molly and her boyfriend Juan are excited for the festivities! And with the quickly approaching Secret Santa gift exchange at the Regency Grand Hotel, Molly has mixed feelings. On top of all this, her boyfriend Juan has been acting very strange. Will the Secret Santa exchange be another total flop this year or will it finally be a joyous event? What has Juan been acting so strange lately? Will Molly be able to solve her most personal mystery yet and enjoy the magical holiday season?
This was a wonderful and heartwarming quick read perfect for the upcoming Christmas holiday! 5 stars, AVAILABLE October 1, 2025

I enjoyed this book. It was nice to visit with the characters again. I loved the other books in the series, so I was excited to receive this one as an ARC. It was short, sweet, and to the point! I caught on to what was happening fairly early on but appreciated the twist and depth the author added so it wasn't so straight forward. Nita's writing is solid and very easy to read. If you have read the other books in this series, I would definitely pick this one up!

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinions.

I first adored Molly in her previous stories, and I still adore her! She's on the spectrum, and takes life quite literally. Think: A grown up Amelia Bedelia who has a strong work ethic and loyalty to her friends.

Molly has some doubts about her life in this novella, but it's Christmas time and some holiday surprises come her way!

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

If you enjoyed The Maid, and found Molly the Maid to be a heartwarming heroine, you’ll love this quick read that brings back all the characters and settings. This is a wonderful way to get excited about Christmas, and see life through the uniqueness of Molly’s eyes.

Nita Prose creates old-fashioned charm that is so missing in today’s stories. Can’t wait to read more of her work.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC.

What I liked: Molly the Maid and the rest of the characters from the Regency Grand Hotel are back. A fun/quick palette cleanser between reading more meaty books.

What I disliked: Why promote as a mystery? Really, this is just a cute Christmas holiday short story.

I love Nita Proses The Maid series and this novella was no exception. It is the perfect short holiday story. I love how this book dives into Molly and Juans relationship as well as the way Molly thinks and feels. It shows her in a more vulnerable way that I am loving.
One of the reasons I love this series is because Molly struggles to understand social norms and ques. She is somewhat naive because of how she was raised and thinks in very literal and black and white. It is just who she is. Nita Prose never says in the book why Molly is this way but her behaviors and thoughts allude to her being somewhat on the spectrum. That is my opinion and I could be totally wrong! But as someone who is around people on the spectrum it makes the most sense. For this reason, some people may not like this series. It definitely reads different then “normal” books which shows what talent Nita Prose has!
This novella doesn’t have a murder but there is still lots of suspicious things happening! This book is the perfect good feeling book for the start of the Christmas season! Super quick read, I finished it in an hour
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine for sharing this brilliant novella’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

"Molly the Maid has a whole new mystery to solve in this heartwarming novella from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Maid and The Mystery Guest.

Molly Gray has always loved the holidays. When Molly was a child, her gran went to great lengths to make the season merry and bright, full of cherished traditions. The first few Christmases without Gran were hard on Molly, but this year, her beloved boyfriend and fellow festive spirit, Juan Manuel, is intent on making the season Molly's mofinst joyful yet.

But when a Secret Santa gift exchange at the Regency Grand Hotel raises questions about who Molly can and cannot trust, she dives headfirst into solving her most consequential - and personal - mystery yet. Molly has a bad feeling about things, and she starts to wonder: has she yet again mistaken a frog for a prince?

A heartwarming, magical story about the true spirit of the season, The Mistletoe Mystery reminds us that love is the greatest mystery of all."

Can we make it mandatory that series we love have to have Christmas novellas? Because that would really make my holiday season.

A charming holiday whodunit, blending mystery with heartwarming seasonal cheer.

The novel centers around Molly Gray, the delightful and neurodiverse protagonist from The Maid and The Mystery Guest who finds herself at the center of a Christmas mystery.

As Molly navigates her relationship with her boyfriend Juan Manuel and uncovers clues, readers are treated to her unique perspective, filled with sharp observations and moments of touching vulnerability.

The festive backdrop—complete with twinkling lights and the chill of winter—adds a layer of warmth, making the mystery feel light yet engaging. The eccentric, well-developed characters from the hotel staff to the guests, each have with their own secrets and motives adding to the mystery.

The Mistletoe Mystery was an enjoyable, feel-good story that combines humor with a clever mystery that is perfect for the holiday season.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this arc.

Ok, let me start with the fact that I thoroughly enjoyed The Maid and The Mystery Guest...this one, not so much. It was cute but it felt like I went from Cozy Mystery series to Junie B Jones. While I understand that some of Molly's charm is how literal she is and that Juan Manuel loves her just the way she is but this one was a bit too juvenile. Maybe some will call me a Grinch but I would like to send a Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ADC.

Molly and Juan are enjoying their time together, living in their old apartment. Everything is lovely as they prepare for Christmas, until Juan starts sneaking around. Molly begins having doubts about their relationship as they get ready to celebrate.

Loved getting to see them at home and being comfortable around each other without the stress of their being a murder to solve. There were so many moments I could see what was happening and caught myself smiling like a fool, as if they’re my closest friends.

This is the third book in the Molly the Maid series. It is actually a seasonal novella so it is 2.5 in the series. It’s Christmas time and Molly and Juan Manuel are busy decorating and getting ready for the holidays. They are also preparing for the Secret Santa gift exchange at the Regency Grand Hotel where they both work. But as the exchange gets closer, Molly begins to feel uneasy. She senses that something is going on with Juan Manuel and begins to question her trust in him and their relationship. Was she wrong about him all this time? This was a fun little story and had a sweet, heartwarming ending. I’m a fan of this series and look forward to more from Molly and her friends at the Regency Grand Hotel.

The Mistletoe Mystery is a fun, easy read that will warm the hearts of Molly the Maid fans! This is a light-hearted read that centered around Juan Manuel’s proposal to Molly. There was no real mystery, just a short novella that will make your heart happy!

More fun with Molly the maid! This time it's December , with all the busyness of the holidays. Molly and Juan Manual are busy working at The Regency Grand Hotel, Molly as head maid, and Juan , recently promoted to pastry chef. The usual characters are also here; Mr. Snow, Mr. Preston, Angela, Cheryl and lily.
As the month of December progresses, Molly gets suspicious about Juan's schedule and sneakiness. We also learn about Molly's time growing up; how she was bullied by classmates and made fun of. All I can say is that this novella has the perfect ending! A wonderful short, romantic, funny Christmas story! Can't wait for more of Molly's adventures.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing me with this digital copy in exchange for. my honest review.

I have been a Molly fan from the start and loved spending some holiday time with her! This heartwarming novella is set at Christmas, and the Regency Grand Hotel is beautifully decorated for the season. Molly and her boyfriend, Juan Manuel, have been happily cohabitating, and they are preparing for the season with their traditions and celebrations. I enjoy the sweetness of their relationship.

At work, a Secret Santa gift exchange has Molly worried due to past issues, but that's not the only thing worrying Molly, and she tries to get to the bottom of things. The mystery to be solved in this one differs from the first two books but works very well for a lighthearted holiday installment and shows more of Molly's personal day-to-day life with Juan Manuel. There is also a delightful nod to O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi," and nostalgic memories of Gran and her wise words. A quick, cozy read that is festive and feel good!

Thank you to Random House Ballentine and Netgalley for the gifted ARC.

Molly is seriously one of my favorite characters ever, while having an autistic child sometimes you forget they don’t think or feel the same way as everyone. Molly always reminds me that although different she is truly special in so many ways. While I would have loved another full book of her shenanigans this books is absolutely perfect to me and such a wonderful short story. Her romance is one that is very sweet and wonderful that reminds you not all romance is the same.

Fans of Molly the Maid will love cozying up with this novella this Christmas season. This book brings the Christmas spirit to life, you can nearly taste the gingerbread and envision the twinkle lights

This may have a predictable story arc but the journey to the conclusion is a joy to read.

Thanks to NetGalley & Ballantine Books for the digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

I just love Molly the Maid!! Nita Prose writes some of the best mysteries that take me back to my Nancy Drew/Agatha Christie days. Always a really great whodunnit! This was the perfect cozy little holiday read and I’ll definitely be picking it up again during Christmas.

I have never been one for series, but I absolutely loved this one. Molly the Maid is such a likeable character and add that to Christmas and this book has it all. This book was more of a romance with a bit of mystery but such a fun and coxy read. I will be buying a copy to read again at Christmas time. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, I was so happy to read this one early. :)

"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.