The most enchanting book I’ve read all year, this Christmas treat is just a short visit to Molly’s happily ever after. For someone like her, reading the clues to solve a murder is a piece of cake. Figuring out other people’s emotions, on the other hand, is almost impossible. I figured out what was going on so my only question was how it was all going to play out. Molly is a charming character, she is sweet, resourceful and has worked out how to turn her challenges into strengths. All of her friends and coworkers make an appearance, including the memories of her Grandma with her invaluable lessons. And Juan? He is such a likable guy that, even when it wasn’t clear what he was really up to, I kept trying to justify his actions. If you, like me, think unprompted “a tissue for your issue” every time you reach for a Kleenex, this will be hot cocoa with marshmallows and gingerbread cookies all rolled in a fuzzy warm blanket and with a kitten in your lap. 5 festive stars!
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine.

This novella was a perfect fit for this series! I loved how Molly and all the characters joined in the festivities and it wrapped up perfectly for Juan Manuel's perfect question. I loved it

I love this trend of authors writing their characters into a Christmas novella. Who better than Molly the Maid? Nita Prose gives us a sweet Christmas story with The Mistletoe Mystery.

"It's almost time for the Hotel Christmas party. Molly's boyfriend Juan is up to something. Molly sometimes has trouble figuring people out. What is Juan doing with so many different women? What's going on? Is this going to be the worst Christmas ever?"

You guess what's happening pretty quickly but it's still a sweet story. Molly is an easy character to pull for. After the events of the first book, you want her to find as much happiness as she can. A great finish to this one.

Another great addition to the Molly the Maid story.

Cute novella, not surprising at all for the reader but still very enjoyable.

I have really enjoyed the other Molly the Maid books that I've read, and you definitely need to read those in order to understand and enjoy this one.

Molly had some wonderful Christmas traditions with her Gran, and her boyfriend Juan Manuel has embraced them and continued the them with her. But Juan Manuel has been acting strangely and Molly is really unsure about his commitment and love. Is she reading things incorrectly or is she correct to be suspicious?

Like I said, as a reader you know where this is going right away even if Molly does not. I loved this beautifully heartwarming story featuring this fun group of characters. It's just the smile-inducing novel that a person needs to bring up spirits at this time of year.

Thank you Netgalley for an early copy of this novella, in exchange for an honest review!

This is more like a 2.5 star read, but I rounded up. I really do enjoy the "Molly the Maid" series. They are usually filled with humor and sweet moments. This one didn't have the same effect on me. I feel like Molly's character needs more than this short story length to really appreciate her. I also coudl guess the whole story immediately after the first few chapters which is always a little bit of a letdown. Don't get me wrong, this was still a sweet story, but I would've preferred it had just been added to the next book. It seemed a little unnecessary to me.

[4.75 stars]

Molly's back and it's Christmas at the Regency Grand Hotel. Since her Gran died, Molly has had difficulty getting in the Christmas spirit. Luckily, her boyfriend Juan Manuel is ready to take over and bring the festive spirit back into Molly's life. (So cute!!) Molly also has trouble getting excited about the holidays after a Secret Santa gone wrong. When the hotel decides to re-introduce the tradition, Molly is naturally hesitant. At the same time, Juan Manuel acts strangely and makes Molly guess who she can really trust. Instead of solving a mystery at the hotel as she has in the past, Molly must work out what Juan Manuel is hiding and if she has put all her trust in the wrong person.

I knew where this "mystery" was going soon after I began reading. However, I was on the hook and needed to see how the "mystery" was going to be solved. Without giving too much away, this was so cute! It is everything I hoped for Molly and more. Although it is set at Christmas time, this could be a great read any time of year. If you're a fan of The Maid series, please pick this one up! It's a cute and quick read that is necessary for all Molly fans!

A new Molly the Maid mystery - yes, please! I've really enjoyed the other books about Molly's adventures.

Description:
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 most 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.

My Thoughts:
This is a short book and has to do with Molly dealing with trust issues during the Christmas season. It is a sweet story involving Molly's romance with her co-worker, Juan Manuel. This is more of a romcom than a mystery I think. Molly is a great quirky character with her trademark social ineptitude. She doesn't know how to interpret normal social interactions. Such a sweet story as Molly tries to navigate her feelings and Juan's actions. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys quirky characters and romance.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine through Netgalley for an advance copy.

This was SO cute! I have really enjoyed following Molly the Maid through her adventures both at the Regency Grand and her personal life. This time the setting is the holidays (as the title would suggest). There isn’t as much of a mystery as books one and two, but some mystery sprinkled in with Juan Carlos and the other employees at the Regency Grand. Though somewhat predictable, it was an adorable quick read at just 78 pages. I would highly recommend if you are a fan of Nita Prose and Molly the Maid.
Thank you to @NetGally and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine Books and @NitaProse for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my thoughts.
Expected Publication Date: October 1, 2024

This is a wonderful novella featuring Molly the maid. This is a great slice of life for the characters we know and love. This is not a murder mystery, rather a short story set at Christmas time. I enjoyed every minute of this story. If you know and love Molly you will enjoy this story!

I just love Molly the Maid and this was another one that I flew through! The Mistletoe Mystery had a good Christmas-y vibe, I just wish it was longer and not a mini-book/novella! I think this author does a really great job of bringing up a lot of emotion with her characters - I may just be overly empathetic but I always find myself tearing up in Nita Prose books!

Loved spending more time in this world with Molly the Maid and the rest of the cast of characters. I feel like this novella was a fun expansion of the plot, but was not my favorite in the series. I am excited for more books in this world and series. I plan to continue on with the series. This was a fun read and definitely got me in the holiday spirit.

A holiday novella starring everyone's new favorite maid, Molly Gray. The holidays are difficult for Molly. She and gran had many traditions and this time of year really has Molly missing her. However, Juan-Manual is ready to step in and make this holiday season one to remember. 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.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this e-arc.*

i totally loved The Maid, and this book absolutely blew me away too!!!! if you love Nita Prose books, this is one you cannot miss out on! 5/5 stars

This is a very short and cute holiday novella for fans of The Maid series. As through all of the books, Molly is neurodivergent and experiences the world much more literally than the average person. I think of Molly as a modern day embodiment of Amelia Bedelia. The author does a great job of setting up the big reveal at the end and the reader knows exactly what all of the foreshadowing has been leading up to. However, Molly is way off track in what she thinks is happening. It was nice to see Molly get a cute, happy ending.

The Mistletoe Mystery was nearly the perfect holiday novella for fans of The Maid series. It was festive and light, yet it also moved Molly's story along. It could have involved a bit more of a mystery and a bit more of the hotel, but it was still really enjoyable. I would recommend it to anyone who's a fan of the series.

This was not really a mystery. It was a sweet Christmas story involving Molly the maid. I saw what was coming early on. I found some of the insights to be particulary good. One that stuck with me was to look for goo not negative reinforcements.

If you're looking for something to put a smile on your face, then I can certainly recommend listening to THE MISTLETOE MYSTERY. This is a heartwarming novella and I couldn't adore Molly more! When I got to the ending, I will admit, I shed a few tears. This is a perfect story to add to your holiday collection. Highly recommended!

Many thanks to PRH Audio for my gifted copy.

This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) shortly.

my expectations for this one were a little too high, based on the success and fun of the first two molly the maid novels! I was picturing a fun lil holiday mystery, and instead, it was more of a retelling of the gift of the magi 🧐🧐

there was very little mystery as this novella focused completely on juan and molly’s relationship over the past few christmases, especially after losing her grandmother. it was more of a deep dive into their daily life and relationship, which felt a little unnecessary for me. I definitely feel that this book would have been a bit more successful as a mystery rather than a filler.

however, the ending with molly and her friends was adorable, I have to admit. even though it was extremely obvious and irritable that molly couldn’t see it and was doubting herself…

thank you to netgalley and ballantine books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! this was a cute one but overall without much of a point…

rating: 2.5 stars
wine pairing: dry creek zinfandel

I highly enjoyed the other Molly the Maid books and was excited for another Molly the Maid mystery. This book was not a murder mystery and I would not call it a mystery book either…I guessed the ending within the first chapter or so. Still a fun and quick read.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

LOVED THIS NOVELLA!! A perfect add on to the Maid series. I love the christmas time & the setting as well as the cozy mystery feel!