Sweet short novella focusing on the famous maid's relationship with her boyfriend. If you've read the other books you'll enjoy a little indulgence focusing purely on Molly's world. 3.5 stars

"No one but him can so easily banish my worldly concerns."

Story: 3 Characters: 4 Engagement level: 3

Highlights:
- Nice to have focus all on Molly's life without any other storyline
- Such a kind, caring, and thoughtful boyfriend
- Shines light on insecurities and anxiety people might have about themselves and their relationships
- Author fully makes you understand Molly's quirks, challenges, and emotions
- The couple not only makes do but enjoys life without the money to buy certain things
- Gran lives on in her words of wisdom
- Get to see the beloved hotel characters briefly

Midlights:
- Not really a mystery as it was a fully predictable storyline

Lowlights:
- Started pretty slow when I was anticipating a mystery like the other books

Notable quotes
"I thought l'd never know joy again, that I'd spend the rest of my existence living like a mushroom in the dark. But it is not so."

"She had the door literally and figuratively slammed in her face-so many times over the years, and yet she always made the choice to shine light in the dark."

"Some people are a mystery that can never be solved."

Look, I adore Molly and Juan Manuel... but this was not a story we needed. Under no circumstance did this need to be a stand-alone story, and honestly felt as though the author was belittling the readers' intelligence. It wasn't smart. It felt like reading a kid's book. Like it's fine, there wasn't anything wrong with it, but it's not necessary and wasn't worth the read IMO.

Molly the Maid is back and better than ever! The holidays are hard for a lot of folks, Molly included. She is missing her Gran and all of the traditions that made Christmas so special. Juan does his best to keep the traditions alive, and keep Molly's spirits up.. Leading up to the work party at the Regency Grand, Molly feels like something isn't quite right, and the gift exchange during the party leads to yet another mystery, but no worries! Molly is on the case and she won't give up until she solves it.

Molly is such a fun, well-written character. Juan has been a perfect foil for her, and the supporting characters from the hotel really bring the stories to life. I have enjoyed everything Nita Prose has written about Molly the Maid immensely, and hope there is more to come in the future.

Thank you to Nita Prose, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.


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Review to post on blog and socials on 9/19/2024. Links will be added then.

I am in for anything written by Nita Prose. I loved reading The Maid series, I wonder if this one is the last one in series. Molly, the Head Maid of Regency Grand Hotel is back with her beloved Juan Manuel. The plot thickens as Molly tries to decipher the clues. This is perfect holiday read for a hot summer day 🙃!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita Prose.

This novella was a short and very sweet read that will get you into the Christmas spirit. While it was clear where this story was going to end up, it warmed my heart the entire way. Molly and Juan Manuel are adorable and I enjoyed getting a better glimpse into their relationship.

I was quite excited at the opportunity to review this ARC. I love The Maid series of books and if you have not read them, you definitely should! I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

I received this ARC for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Well, this is definitely a fresh twist in our beloved Molly the Maid trilogy! Christmas is a tough time for Molly, especially since her Gran used to make it magical. But guess what? Juan steps in, keeping Gran's traditions alive and throwing in some sneaky, heart-melting surprises of his own! Seriously, swoon alert!

As the Christmas work party gets closer, Molly starts feeling that something’s off, and Juan’s strange behavior isn’t helping. But don't worry, everything falls into place, and yet another mystery is solved!

I just adore Molly’s quirky phrases—they add so much charm to these books. It’s a short, fun read, perfect for getting into that warm, Christmassy spirit with a dose of love! But be sure to check out the other books in the series before diving into this one!

Big thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for letting me read and review this ARC!

This lovely little novella continues the story of Molly the maid, and her boyfriend at Christmas time. While this was a fairly obvious mystery to solve, it was a charming little tale to get there. I could picture the Regency Grand decked out for Christmas and even smell the sugary sweets described in the pages. Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

The characters remain in place at their work in the Hotel. Some have
been promoted while the slacker is still there, but, according to Molly,
much improved. The focus of story is the Christmas Party, which
will take a lot, of preparation and secrets. among the Staff, with the
perfect ending-leaving us so excited about the next book. This is
a Novella~ just 128 pages~perfect for a rainy afternoon in front
of a cozy fire and a cup of hot cocoa..
My gracious thanks to Ballantine Books via NetGalley for the
download of this book for review purposes.

Thank you Ballantine Books and Netgalley for the advance reading copy. This is such an easy and sweet Christmas mystery with Molly the maid and the Regency Grand Hotel. I loved reading about the characters from Book 1 & Book 2 in this series in this novella and it got me feeling in the holiday spirit with the festivities and Christmas cheer

A wonderful novella in a series I adore! It was charming to revisit Molly and her cast of friends and family! Thank you for the ARC!

This reviewer was absolutely delighted to receive an advance copy of The Mistletoe Mystery. Nita Prose wrote a *perfect* book with The Maid, and I looked forward to reconnecting with her charming and loveable heroine, Molly, in this feel-good Christmas novella.

The tale is less a mystery story than a romance novella, but I won't quibble. This holiday tale features the relationship between The Regency Grand Hotel's head maid, Molly, and the love of her life, pastry chef Juan Manuel. The story is packed with more sweet Christmas visuals than any ten cakes Juan Manuel could possibly bake. Savvy readers will play along with the plotline, pretending not to guess how the story will end, and enjoy doing so. Fans of this series have been given another reason to love Molly. This reviewer looks forward to the next book in this cozy mystery series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for providing an advance copy of the book to read and review. This review will post to Bayside Book Reviews.com at https://baysidebookreviews.com and its Instagram page on release day. Follow us! *NetGalley Top Reviewer*

Great Novella about love, the joy of Christmas and jumping to conclusions. The plot this time is easy but it still made me feel what Molly was feeling and believing, because I tend to jump to conclusions too, even those who I care for, and with all the unusual goings on at the Regency and at home no wonder Molly jumps to conclusion, but in the end it is all worth it.
The story includes exchanging presents, decorating a Charlie Brown tree and the story of the Magi, so cute and thoughtful. And do I hear Wedding Bells, maybe.

I can't wait to see what other mystery Molly will solve.

I want to thank Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Book and NetGalley for this fun little novella about Christmas and it's memories. .

I thoroughly enjoyed the first two Molly the Maid books, and this novella was so good. Set at Christmastime and after the events of The Mystery Guest, The Mistletoe Mystery gave me all the feels and made me want to grab a cup of hot chocolate as I finished it. Molly and Juan’s relationship is the central focus and Nita Prose continues her use of amusing puns to make us giggle. And although she is gone, we still benefit from Gran’s wisdom as Molly remembers all of her advice. Be sure to read the first two books before this one. Loved it!

Nita Prost can do no wrong in my book! I just love Molly the Maid. It’s hard to review this novella without spoiling it. loved that the mystery in this story was a little different than the previous books in the series. I really love how the characters were written. I loved everything about this!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review!

This is a cute Christmas story about a couple who are excited for Christmas.. Molly keeps seeing her boyfriend Juan doing strange things, but what could be going on?! I really enjoyed it!

This a beautiful novella about the meaning of the Christmas spirit and giving. Molly has a hard time around the holidays because she cherished all the memories of her grandmother and the things they did every year.

Juan and Molly have been together 5 years now. He goes out of his way to make Molly feel special and loved.

Molly lets Cheryl from work put thoughts in her head and she begins to doubt Juan and that he really loves her.

This holiday Christmas party Juan vows to make it the best for Molly. I just love Molly’s character as we can all relate to sometime when we let thoughts spiral out of control. I enjoyed all the quotes from her grandmother and the Charlie Brown Christmas tree. This was such a fun and uplifting holiday story.

I had not ready any of the Maid books before this novella. It was a nice read for the Christmas season but I found Molly’s insecurities hard to get through.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I LOVE Molly the maid and was so excited to get approved for this book. It went to the top of my list!!
Molly is at it again with her quirkiness around the holidays. Her and her boyfriend Juan are enjoying their holiday traditions and new ones as well. Molly is seeing clues for something going awry- is what she believes going to happen?! Definitely recommend!!

While I impatiently wait :-) for the next Molly the Maid, “The Maid’s Secret” (coming in April 2025), Nita Prose has gifted us with a Christmas novella, “The Mistletoe Mystery,” and best yet, Molly’s too-good-to-be-true boyfriend, Juan Manuel, who was out of the country visiting relatives in the last book, is center stage. Gossipy, mean Cheryl is back, too, and, honestly, Molly, I wish you would hear Gran’s voice straight out (in a totally non-Gran voice) demand “totally ignore Cheryl and everything she says and implies.”

It’s their fifth Christmas together, and Juan has been such an unbelievably joyous celebrant of the season, that he adds to Molly’s treasured memories of her late Gran, giving Molly new holiday memories every year to embrace. Although, since you know her from the previous two novels, Molly is a worry-wart and it doesn’t take much to topple her from good thoughts to self-doubt again. She’s been successful at ignoring people who mock her for her OCD tendencies, but she still gets suspicious easily (which is why she’s a great detective). This time she worries that Juan might have a secret (the readers, however, will be quicker to sense a good secret, not a bad one). Once again, you fall in love with quirky Molly and wait for her to keep discovering the good in everyone.

This is a quick and joyous read — a great Christmas gift for Molly fans. 5 stars!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO Molly does have a nightmare about arachnid eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO Molly and Juan do take every chance they get to kiss under the mistletoe. (By the way, mistletoe is actually a plant parasite, despite its jolly good Christmas reputation).

Thank you to Random House/Ballantine and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

This was such a sweet Christmas novella in the Molly the Maid series! I just love the relationship between Juan Manuel and Molly!

I also enjoyed that in this book it really shows how Molly has become part of the Regency Grand hotel family.

Looking forward to the next book!