In The Mistletoe Mystery, Nita Prose brings readers a delightful holiday mystery wrapped in heartwarming festive cheer. Molly Gray, a woman with a deep love for Christmas, is determined to make this holiday season her happiest yet. Her boyfriend, Juan Manuel, shares her passion for the season and is keen to help her reclaim the joy she's lost since the passing of her beloved Gran.

When a Secret Santa gift exchange at the Regency Grand Hotel sparks some unsettling questions about trust and loyalty, Molly finds herself unraveling a mystery that's more personal than she ever expected. With her keen sense of intuition and a touch of holiday magic, she dives headfirst into the puzzle—leading to a surprising realization about her relationship and the true meaning of love.

Prose’s writing is charming, and she beautifully captures the nostalgic, bittersweet feeling of the holidays while also weaving in an intriguing mystery. The blend of festive warmth, personal reflection, and suspense creates a well-rounded story that is as heartwarming as it is thrilling.

What makes The Mistletoe Mystery stand out is its exploration of trust, love, and self-discovery. Molly’s journey through the holiday season is both a personal and relational exploration, where she must confront her own heart and decipher the true nature of those around her. The story is a perfect blend of cozy mystery and holiday cheer, reminding us all that sometimes, the greatest mystery in life is love itself.

This is a perfect read for those looking for a festive and heartwarming story filled with charm, mystery, and the spirit of Christmas.

I love this entire series!! I have read them all and this one was no exception ! This was a good novella for the holiday season and I enjoyed it very much ! I can’t wait for more books by this author!

This is a short,sweet story but not really a mystery in my opinion. I didn’t feel like there was much to this book, it needed more of an element of suspense.

Let’s cozy up with The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita Prose, because this novella is like a warm cup of cocoa with a dash of holiday intrigue. Molly Gray, everyone’s favorite meticulous maid, is back, and this time she’s diving into her most personal mystery yet. With her boyfriend Juan Manuel by her side, Molly is determined to make this Christmas her most joyful one since losing her beloved Gran. But when a Secret Santa gift exchange at the Regency Grand Hotel raises questions about trust and loyalty, Molly’s holiday cheer takes a hit. Is Juan Manuel really the prince she thinks he is, or has she mistaken a frog for her happily-ever-after? Cue the sleuthing, the soul-searching, and a whole lot of festive feels.

What makes this story so endearing is Molly’s unique perspective and her unwavering belief in the goodness of people (even when the evidence suggests otherwise). Her quirks and attention to detail are as charming as ever, and her journey to uncover the truth is both heartwarming and relatable. The holiday setting is pure magic, with twinkling lights, cozy traditions, and just enough mystery to keep you guessing. But let’s be real: Molly’s tendency to jump to conclusions can be a little frustrating, especially when you’re yelling at the book, “Molly, no!” Still, her heart is in the right place, and you can’t help but root for her.

I’m giving this one 3 out of 5 stars. While it’s a sweet, festive read with plenty of charm, Molly’s wild assumptions and the novella’s shorter format left me wanting a bit more depth. That said, if you’re a fan of the series or just love a cozy holiday mystery, The Mistletoe Mystery is a delightful way to get into the spirit of the season.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review “The Mistletoe Mystery.” If you are looking for a quick delightful read this novella is for you. It is a feel good story. Not much mystery involved but nevertheless it is a sweet story.

Very fun holiday read. The author obviously meant for it to be a mystery only to Molly because we figured out what Juan Manuel was upto in the first couple of chapters. I truly enjoyed it!

The Mistletoe Mystery
Nita Prose
4.5⭐️

Pub Date: 10/1/2024

This novella is just so cute and sweet. The tone of this book matches well with the rest of the series and it brings back fond memories of Molly's journey. It was so nice to see the normal life of Molly and Juan, how they've navigated life. This is such an easy read and really, it was so easy to know what the "mystery" was once you start reading. This is a pretty good book for what it is. A good break from heart-pounding things Molly finds herself involved in. I'm excited for the next full installment of her story.

Thank you Netgalley and Ballantine Random House Publishing for a gifted e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

As usual when Molly is concerned, there is a mystery to be solved in this delightful holiday novella! Molly's boyfriend Juan Manuel is being suspicious, is he a frog or a prince? And can Molly tell the difference when it really matters?

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

The Mistletoe Mystery: A Sparkling Christmas Treat

Nita Prose's "The Mistletoe Mystery" is a delightful Christmas novella that captures the magic of the season while delivering a cozy and heartwarming mystery.

The story follows Molly, a hotel maid with a unique perspective on the lives of the hotel's guests. With her keen observational skills and a touch of Sherlock Holmes-ian deduction, Molly finds herself embroiled in a festive mystery when a valuable piece of jewelry goes missing.

Prose's writing is warm and inviting, filled with charming descriptions of the hotel's opulent decorations and the bustling Christmas atmosphere.

Molly is a captivating protagonist, her quiet strength and unwavering kindness shining through in every interaction. The mystery itself is cleverly constructed, with red herrings and surprising twists.

"The Mistletoe Mystery" is the perfect cozy read to curl up with on a cold winter's evening. It's a reminder that even in the most unexpected places, kindness and compassion can prevail, and that the true spirit of Christmas lies in the small acts of kindness and the joy of human connection.

Recommended for fans of feel-,good mysteries, holiday romances, and heartwarming stories that celebrate the magic of the season.

I really enjoyed The Mistletoe Mystery! Even though I haven’t read any of Nita Prose’s Maid mysteries, I had no trouble jumping into this one as a standalone. The holiday setting brought such a cozy, festive vibe, and the mystery kept me hooked. There’s a nice balance of warmth and suspense, and I appreciated the twists and turns throughout. It definitely made for an enjoyable read as we head into the holiday season! If you're looking for a holiday mystery with a touch of charm, this is a great pick.

The Mistletoe Mystery was no mystery at all. I thought the previous book in this series was the best. I was hoping for a fun Christmas themed mystery, but it was a predictable novella, that could have been shorter.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced reading copy.

A very special holiday mystery featuring my favorite literary character, Molly the Maid! Molly is missing her Gran even more with the holidays fast approaching and she finds herself questioning her relationship with Juan Manuel when he starts acting strangely and keeping secrets. Can this holiday season be saved for Molly or just add more heartache? A wonderful, heartwarming story. I thank Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Mistletoe Mystery was a cute edition to The Molly the Maid series, but I didn't enjoy it as much as the first two installments. The mystery element was lacking. I am happy to see this part of her life, but it was obvious. I also hate the miscommunication trope, so that did not help.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Molly the Maid is back! In this delightful, comforting novella by Nita Prose, The Mistletoe Mystery, we once again glimpse what Molly's life was like with her wonderful late Gran, her recently discovered grandfather and her beloved boyfriend Juan Manuel.

In true Molly fashion, the story is adorable, heartwarming, and funny as Molly learns Christmas and the holiday season can be a bit anxiety ridden and can also come with a few life bumps but in the end surprisingly miraculous!

This is the time of year in which Molly misses her Gran especially. They had many traditions which kept them excited about the holidays no matter how much (or little) money they had.

And now, Molly gets to share this special time with her cherished Juan Manuel who tries to keep all those traditions alive, an advent calendar to be opened daily, picking out a tree, and of course his delicious cooking each night!

But Molly can't help but feel something is off with her and Juan Manuel. He seems much more tired than usual, perhaps from cooking and baking at the hotel, but he also seems extremely preoccupied when he is at home, always making excuses to go out but being vague as to where he is going. Molly knows there is no fibbing allowed in their relationship. And so does Juan Manuel!

On top of all this, The Regency Grant Hotel has decided to once again do the Secret Santa exchange amongst the employees. But the last time they did this Secret Santa, most everybody laughed at what Molly had given for her gift. Now, she feels this terrible pressure to not have that happen again!

Then one day she witnesses Juan Manuel doing something that she considers bad at work. So does her arch nemesis maid! When she confronts him, he out and out lies! Why is he lying? She thought they loved each other! So, as all this is happening and with the gift exchange drawing closer, well Molly's fearfulness that something bad is going to happen increases.

How could she have been so wrong about her boyfriend? What would Gran think! Or do?

The Mistletoe Mystery is pure joy wrapped in a beautiful, holiday story which has charm, sensitivity and of course, love.

Thank you #NetGalley #BallentineBooks #NitaProse #TheMistletoeMystery for the advanced copy.

Another fun tale in the Molly the Maid series. This time, there's no murder to solve, just a holiday to celebrate. Molly is basking in the glow of life with Juan Manuel and her job at the Regency Grand Hotel. All is well until a Secret Santa gift exchange leads Molly to start questioning things.

I truly loved this novella! Molly's experiences are described in such detail, I feel like I'm there. The depth of emotion and the growth across the series continues to be engaging and keep my interest piqued. A wonderful holiday tale.

Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for the opportunity to read & review this title. I'm looking forward to more Molly stories!

Molly the Maid is back in this holiday novella with her Christmas loving boyfriend Juan Manuel trying to share his favorite season with Molly who is struggling to navigate the workplace Secret Santa exchange this year without the embarrassment of years past. The Gift of the Magi vibes. Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm usually not a novella person - the story simply reads too quickly, However, Molly Gray is always an exception. In this sweet Christmas story, we watch as Juan tries to ensure that Molly is committed to him and will say 'yes' to a proposal. Molly, endearing as she is, simply doesn't quite get the hints Juan is leaving. The mystery in this story is if Molly will, in fact, accept Juan's proposal, which of course is being planned in one of Molly's favorite places on Earth: The Regency Hotel.

I'm a super fan of Molly Gray and enjoyed this moment in her world. If you are a fan of the series, grab this one so you have a little more insight into Juan and Molly's relationship. If you have not started this series, this book, while a cozy 'Hallmark'ish' Christmas story, will not make as much sense if you have not read the first two books.

Good story. Always love a good story about molly the maid. I felt like the title was a little his leading, considering I did not feel there was any mystery. While this was cute, definitely not a must read.

I’m spreading a little holiday cheer with The Mistletoe Mystery (Molly the Maid, 2.5) by Nita Prose. Molly is back to solve a new mystery in her hotel although this one has a bit of a romance flare. In true quirky Molly fashion you are rooting for her to receive the cozy feels this overworked maid needs while seeing the spirit of the season unfold.

I have truly enjoyed this series. When I started this book I was very confused on a characters actions and then the end made sense.