The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita Prose is a fun novella about a new Christmas mystery that Molly the maid feels she must solve. Molly and Juan Manuel are enjoying the holiday season together. Molly loves Christmas, and Juan Manuel wants to make it the best one yet. However, when his behavior turns mysteriously sketchy, Molly wonders if they truly have a future together or if he is getting annoyed by her company. She feels she must solve the riddle of his behavior in order to find if they truly belong together.


I really enjoyed reading this novella. I’ve enjoyed the full series of books and am excited to read the third. However, I felt some details were left out of this one. As it’s told from Molly’s perspective, we hear about all of the stuff Juan Manuel does for her to show he loves her. I found myself questioning what she provides in the relationship as the story seemed to show that he took care of everything at the house and does everything for her. I get that it’s from Molly’s perspective, but he loves getting her surprises for her advent calendar, cooking for her, cleaning to her standards, and making her lunches at work while showing no reciprocal efforts demonstrating Molly’s affection. We’re just told she loves him. Also, I felt like the solution to the mystery was obvious to everyone but Molly and would have liked a bit more suspense. With that said, I thought it was a fun, sweet story and still really enjoyed reading it. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed the series.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for access to an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita Prose
This was an endearing Christmas story that will warm your heart! Another adventure with Molly the maid and it's so sweet!
I really enjoyed this one and I think fans of Molly will love it!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC and the pleasure of reviewing this one!
4/5 ⭐s

THE MISTLETOE MYSTERY
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
GENRE: Fiction, Mystery

Molly the Maid returns in this sweet holiday novella. It’s the holiday season and there’s a new mystery for Molly to solve. It’s a quick read and a cute short story where everyone knows what is happening except Molly. At times, I can see where Molly can be so astute and other times I’m not sure why she is so dense. We have Cheryl give Molly misdirection but Angela and Mr. Preston keep Molly from straying too far from her fantasies.

Thank you to Random House, Ballantine Books, and Net Galley for the ARC of this book. For fans of the cozy mystery genre, pick up this novella. I do recommend reading the other Molly the Maid books though as there are many references from the other books and does not read as standalone.

The Mistletoe Mystery
A Maid Novella by Nita Prose
Tentative release date October 1, 2024

Molly the Maid is back for this very Christmassy tale. She’s reminiscing her Gran and the holidays she spent with her. She has now been making new traditions with Juan Manuel. This holiday season he has been acting weird and Molly is determined to solve this mystery.

I adore Molly and her personality. The relationship she had with Gran really hits me in the feels. This story was just the perfect holiday novella.

I don’t think I will forget this series and always love to recommend these books. Can’t wait to purchase this in the fall.

A very big thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this advanced reader copy!

I couldn't resist diving into another adventure with Molly the maid, especially one with Christmas vibes. I was expecting a cozy mystery novella, as is typical for the series, but this time, Nita Prose surprised us with a Christmas romance. I won’t give away too much, but the only mystery here revolves around Molly’s second thoughts about her sweet boyfriend, Juan Manuel, and his suspicious behavior.

The story takes us down memory lane with Molly, revisiting moments when she was bullied by school friends and recalling an unfortunate Secret Santa experience at the hotel in front of her colleagues. We also see her deep love for her grandmother, whose wisdom and anecdotes shaped Molly into the person she is today.

The promising ending warms your heart. Just enjoy this book as a Christmas romcom, rather than expecting another of Molly’s murder mysteries. That’s what I did! But I’ll never say no to a new book, a brand-new adventure, and another mystery for Molly to solve. I’m also very curious about what’s in store for her in the future.

I’m rounding up my 3.5 stars to 4 romantic, heartfelt Christmas-with-Molly stars.

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.

This book was gripping and hard to put down. It didn't feel like everything else you see out there, it felt very fresh. I really enjoyed this book!

📖 ARC REVIEW 📖

Thank you @penguinrandomhouse for an early copy of The Mistletoe Mystery by @nitaprose. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 🤍

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Release date: October 1st, 2024

Blurb: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/210040063-the-mistletoe-mystery?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=xUD2Egq0eb&rank=1

🛑Read on with caution; review may contain spoilers🛑

The romance lover in me is so happy about how this book turned out! Finally, we have more insight into Juan Manuel and Molly’s relationship! I’ve always been curious about them and honestly wanted more details about their romance ever since the first novel, and with The Mistletoe Mystery, we finally have a deeper insight into their life living together!

This was a light, quick, and delightful read, and I am happy to report that no one has died in this novel. 😅 The mystery and the outcome were quite obvious from the beginning, with Juan Manuel acting all sketchy as Christmas drew near, but I really enjoyed how this sparked so much Christmas vibes, especially with him honoring Molly and her grandma’s Christmas traditions and making Molly’s Christmases even more magical.

Pick this one up on October 1st for a delightful Christmas romance and mystery! 🎄

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

I'm loving this series and this was the perfect hold-me-over until book 3. You'll figure out quickly what's going on with Molly and her boyfriend, Juan, but that doesn't detract from the story. All your favorites - and not so favorite (talking about you, Cheryl) - are back for a cute Christmas-themed novella. Do yourself a favor and read them in order. They're quick and fun.

Molly solves her favorite mystery yet in this warm Christmas novella. It’s Christmas time, and her beloved Juan has started acting all kinds of strange. Sneaking out, hiding from her, and visiting mysterious women. Molly doesn’t know whether to trust him or investigate him, but eventually the mystery is solved.

Molly is always the star of the show, and seeing her overcome her fears is so sweet. This was a more heartwarming story than the two main books, but I have to say, I don’t mind that the mystery took the backseat.

4/5

This book continues from where the last book left off. I really enjoyed reading this novella. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I enjoyed this sweet novella. Molly is a unique character. Her very literal personality compounds with her need for proper order. She’s highly intelligent but has a hard time reading people’s intentions. Molly loves Christmas and misses her gran dearly. Spending Christmas with her caring boyfriend Juan Manuel starts off joyfully. They may not have much but they have love and understanding, or so Molly thought. Juan Manuel starts to act odd and his behavior sets off alarm bells instead of jingle bells for Molly. Molly starts to wonder if her beloved boyfriend is as wonderful as she thought. In a culmination of misunderstandings Molly’s confusion turns to sadness. A grand gesture puts all the pieces of Molly’s mystery into Juan Manuel’s actions together with a tender ending. This novella was a fun read. I found the story to be humorous, cute, and sweet. If you’re looking g for a light, Christmas read this has it all wrapped up in a cheerful Christmas bow.

Back in Molly The Maid’s world, with the cutest short story. This time, set around the Holidays. Centered around Molly and Juan Manuel’s relationship, it’s a bit predictable but still so enjoyable. Filled with Molly’s traditional quirky vocabulary and phrases, it’s the perfect quick read to get you ready for the Holiday Spirit.

Thank you Random House, Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC! Looking forward to Molly’s next adventure.

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.