The story was cute, but too much of a slow burn for me. I would consider this a clean romance with light kissing.

I thought the drama between them was great but it dragged the whole way without any great resolution. The epilogue gives a suggestion, but honestly not enough for me.

The different mysteries kept the story interesting and so did the mini twists. 

Easy light read and had some holiday spirit.

I love Scotland so I totally enjoyed this slow-burn romance in the highlands! It was fun watching the romance between Liv and Fraser unfold during Christmas time and among all the characters that reside at Loch Lochy Hotel. Lots of things go wrong for Liv and there's the mystery of who really made Fraser's profile on the dating app. Effie is the sweetest and how can I resist a highland "coo" named Ginger?! This was my first book by Bella Osborne but I'll be looking for more in the future.

Charlotte Worthing narrated and did a great job! Just listening to Mistletoe Magic in the Highlands made me want to go back there for Christmas!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 7 October 2024

Loved it!!! Bella Osborne's books make me happy and this one was no exception. It was a fun read and perfect for the holiday season. Some of the characters do not make the best decisions. Liv storms off to Scotland to find the guy who ghosted her on a dating app. Liv never actually spoke to him, only texted through the app. She drives almost seven hours without a clear plan to find Fraser. Liv had no idea where she would stay when she got there or even what she was going to say to him. an unfortunate meeting with Ginger, the Highland cow, causes a bump on Liv's head. That's what she gets for sneaking around and looking inside windows. Liv has a huge problem with people wrapping her December birthday presents in Christmas wrapping paper. Seriously!! I wrap everyone's birthday gifts in holiday wrapping paper and my daughter's birthday is in August. Then there's Effie. At times she acts like she has the mind of a child and other times she acts more her age. If she didn't like what someone was telling her, she pretty much threw a tantrum. She planned to move to Africa with some man she met on the Internet. Loved all the secondary characters, especially the senior citizens who show up to help Fraser with his dinner. Shanie, Aaron and Kacey acted so ungrateful to Fraser and his family. They were stranded in a storm and expected to stay at a five star hotel. They are lucky they didn't have to share a room with the bats. I never suspected who created Fraser's online dating profile. I suspected a couple of people, but not this person. I can't forget about plastic Stan. Liv drove all the way to Scotland with Stan in the car. The book definitely had me smiling and laughing.

Definitely recommend the book. It's the perfect book for Christmas. Loved the story, characters and writing style. I felt like I was right there with Liv, Fraser, Effie and the adorable Ginger. Look forward to reading more books by the author. Love the cover of the book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Aria & Aries through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Mistletoe Magic in the Highlands by Bella Osborne is an entertaining and easy to read book, which has it all romance, snow filled scenes and likeable characters.
Olivia Bingham is determined to track down the man who has ghosted her on the internet and on impulse drives all the way to Fort William to the Loch Lochy Hotel to confront Fraser Douglas, who is the hotel’s chef. Unfortunately, Fraser has no idea what Liv is talking about and the storyline moves on from there.
Entertaining characters, including Ginger, the cow who thinks he is a dog and likes classical music. To a grandmother, a cousin and former friend and girlfriend all make appearances.
An enjoyable read.
Highly recommended

ok so purely requested this book because of the highland cow on the cover, and i also went to the scottish highlands this past spring and absolutely fell in love with it and the country. i thought this book was super cute and funny. it was very lighthearted and provided the perfect christmas/festive vibe for me going into the holiday season. if you love a grumpy sunshine with banter, you will definitely enjoy this one!

Mistletoe Magic in the Highlands is a super cute rom-com with no spice that transports you to the stunning Scottish Highlands at Christmas. This was a delight to read and I couldn't put it down; it was chaotic but funny and kept me turning the page. I really liked these characters and the banter between them was spot on.

I love a no spice romance but I felt the romance was a little slow here. But overall it was an absolute joy to read.

Read if you like: Christmas romance, grumpy X sunshine, and scenic escapes to rural Scotland.

3.5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to review this book.

I live Christmas, and I love the Highlands, so I gave this a try. It moved too slow for me, and I lost interest. It was sweet with cute characters - might work for the undiscerning holiday reader.

Really enjoyed this. It was a lovely rom com with a lot of fun characters mixed in. The antics between Liv and Fraser were handled well. Lots of funny jokes and silliness which lightens the story. The ending was satisfying.

I do enjoy a Bella book and to be honest I wasn't sure i was going to enjoy it when I first started it, however I did warm to the FMC, the characters were very well written, they were warm and funny the setting sounds lovely and I would love to visit.

Over all a good read, it did feel a little unfinished so I do wonder if there will be a second in the series

Mistletoe Magic in the Highlands is a lighthearted Christmas romance that aims to whisk readers away to a picturesque Scottish setting. While the premise of a digital love affair gone awry is intriguing, the execution falls flat.

The characters are somewhat one-dimensional, lacking the depth and complexity needed to truly connect with readers. The plot, though predictable, offers a few heartwarming moments, but it's hindered by a lack of originality and a rushed pace.

While the Scottish setting is well-described and evokes a sense of cozy winter charm, the overall story feels somewhat contrived and lacking in substance.

Disclaimer: Thank you Aria for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This book is a wonderful breath of fresh Highland air! When our FMC, Liv (Olivia) gets ghosted by a chef in the Scottish Highlands, she can think of nothing better to do than go and give him a piece of her mind...if only it had been that simple. We go on a delightful romp with a full cast of characters that have fascinating depth and curious backstories and even solve a few mysteries along the way. The banter and writing is wonderfully witty and had me actually giggling out loud.

This was definitely a slow-burn romance, but the plot twists continually kept it fresh. I loved seeing how each character grew over the course of the story, and watching Fraser's heart melt a little at a time. Yes - FRASER. *swoons in Outlander*

The POVs are not your usual F/M, which leads us to another wonderful character, Effie. Effie has my heart as the little sister I never had. She's also the owner of possibly my favorite side character in the book, Ginger, the Highland cow!

I absolutely would recommend this book, especially if you are tired of wading through the trope-infested waters of what is currently contemporary romance. This book is sweet, funny, and an overall fun adventure! I look forward to reading other books by Bella Osborne!

This was honestly the cutest story, I adore highland cows so I’ll admit the main pull to this story for my initially was the cover but I completely adored reading this.

I do love a cosy Christmas tale and this was honestly perfect and i have already recommended to friends.

3.5 ⭐️
Mistletoe Magic in the Highlands offers up a heartfelt holiday romance set in a charming, atmospheric Highland hotel. Olivia (Liv), our big-hearted and determined main character, has just about had it with dead-end relationships. So, when she decides to confront Fraser—the guy who ghosted her on a dating app—she’s ready to finally get some answers.

Although the story surrounding her arrival at the hotel was a bit off for me and left me with more questions than answers about what was actually happening.

Fraser, at first, comes off as a bit of a grump, which only adds to Liv’s confusion. But their chemistry is undeniable, even through the tension and unanswered questions. It’s a romance that builds slowly but draws you in with each turn, leaving you rooting for Liv as she navigates misunderstandings, family dynamics, and a few unexpected twists along the way.

The hotel setting adds warmth and charm, with its cozy holiday backdrop and colorful side characters that make you feel right at home. This story has a little of everything: love, laughter, some ups and downs, and a memorable cast that makes it perfect for a winter read.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

this was genuinely such a sweet read! i fell in love with the Scottish Highlands setting, and will be re-reading this during Christmas time. i will be recommending this to friends and family, had such a cozy time reading it!

Bella Osborne's Mistletoe Magic in the Highlands is a warm, humorous, and endearing festive novel that captures the magic of the Scottish Highlands and the messy, unpredictable nature of love and human connection.

The story centres on Olivia, who thinks she has found "the one" through an online dating app, only to be ghosted. Frustrated and determined not to let this be another letdown, she embarks on a road trip with her mother and sister to track down Fraser Douglas, the mysterious man she believes has ghosted her. The trip to confront Fraser leads her through snowy landscapes and even a tyre puncture, which forces her to trudge through the weather on foot and cross paths with a stubborn highland cow—a perfect dash of Scottish charm.

When Olivia finally arrives, she finds herself unexpectedly staying at Fraser's family-run hotel due to severe weather. Here, she meets Fraser’s spirited niece, Effie, and his quirky grandmother, who welcome her with open arms. Olivia soon discovers that Fraser, who seems every bit as appealing in person as he was online, doesn't recognise her at all, leading her to wonder if there's more to the story.

With a snowstorm locking down the hotel, a growing group of stranded guests, and a shortage of staff after Fraser’s team walks out, everyone is roped into helping around the hotel, bringing together a wonderfully diverse cast of characters. Fraser is gruff but loveable, and as the novel unfolds, his backstory brings understanding and empathy to his character. Olivia’s warmth and willingness to lend a hand contrast with her initial mission, revealing her compassionate nature and creating lovely moments of growth.

Effie, with her endearing naivety, brings a delightful energy to the story, and her close relationship with her family adds depth to the character dynamics. Osborne writes with a deft touch, balancing humorous and heartfelt moments that reveal the characters' vulnerabilities.

Mistletoe Magic in the Highlands is an engaging, light-hearted read filled with festive charm, quirky family dynamics, and a touch of romance. Fans of cosy, character-driven holiday novels will find themselves rooting for Olivia and Fraser and laughing along the way. Osborne’s storytelling leaves readers with the warm glow of a Scottish winter, making this a delightful addition to the holiday reading list.

What an absolutely DELIGHTFUL book! This is the first one I've read of this author's and I am hopeful I can locate others as well!

The story circles around a hotel/restaurant that has seen better days and is being remodeled by Fraser. He has been hurt in the past and carries it in the form of being grumpy and untrusting.

Liv has been "ghosted" many times in her love life and once again, it appears it has happened again. Tired of having this happening, she decides to take the matter further and impulsively makes a decision to confront Fraser.

What was especially fun was the Scottish dialect, which added to the enjoyment of the book.

Not wanting to include a spoiler here, I will refrain from further details!

The book made me hold my breath a few times, laugh out loud on more than one occasion, and included several thought-provoking moments.

I always know how much a book has affected me when I'm sad when it's over. However, the book left me with a happy heart and was truly one I enjoyed immensely.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this extremely enjoyable book.

I have struggled with this review & I don’t know why.

It was an enjoyable, quick holiday read with fun banter, a good story & likeable characters.

But….but….ugh! I don’t know!

It just didn’t have the “it factor” that draws me into a book making it impossible to put down.

It was good.
✔️Scottish Highlands
✔️Grumpy/Sunshine
✔️Great secondary characters
✔️Random Highland cow
✔️HEA

Could there have been more depth to the characters? Sure.
Do I wish there was more details of the highlands & hotel where the story took place? Yep.

Do I wish I could have a do-over & read this book in December, wrapped in a cozy blanket, sipping hot cocoa, with the Christmas tree lights glowing, Michael Bublé singing in the background, while enjoying the stillness of snow falling outside?
ABSOLUTELY!

If you’re intrigued by the storyline, I’d suggest waiting until December to read this book. And, don’t forget your hot cocoa.

Scotland at Christmas, say no more. This book was devoured in a matter of hours. I could not put it down, it was so cosy and just had everything I wanted. I felt for Liv and could not really blame her for her impulsiveness. I am looking forward to picking up more from Osborne.

This book is a cozy, heartwarming read that sweeps you straight into the magic of a snowy Scottish Christmas. Olivia Bingham has had it with dead-end relationships and ghosted messages. So when Fraser, her latest dating app match, goes silent, she decides it’s time to take matters into her own hands and heads to the Highlands to confront him in person.

Naturally, things don’t go as planned—Olivia’s car breaks down, leaving her to trudge the last bit through rain and snow, where she’s hilariously met by Ginger, a cheeky Highland cow, and later by Fraser’s adorable niece Effie and her grandmother. Snowed in at Fraser’s hotel, Olivia is forced to spend more time with him, and as she helps him wrangle holiday guests and pitch in with the work, his grumpy exterior starts to crack, revealing a side of him she hadn’t expected.

The book is packed with charming, quirky characters—Effie is the absolute standout, and Ginger the cow adds plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Fraser’s gruffness mixed with Olivia’s determined spirit brings a sweet grumpy-sunshine energy, and the Highlands in winter is the perfect festive setting. If you’re after a feel-good Christmas escape with just the right touch of romance, Mistletoe Magic in the Highlands is pure holiday joy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for the ARC!

Just another brilliant read from Bella Osborne. From the 1st few pages you will be drawn into the chaotic life of Olivia (Liv) Bingham. Trying out the online dating scene, Liv is matched with hunky Fraser, a top hotel chef from the Scottish Highlands. It's been going really well and Liv is so happy when meeting up is on the cards, when disaster strikes, all of a sudden she's ghosted, his profile is gone and all their messages! When her mum and sister argue she needs to get on with life, it's just another failed relationship by another man!! Liv thinks on this and decides she is not going to let him treat her like that and she is going to have it out with him, even if it does mean a 6 hour drive from her home in Blackburn. Her family think she's crazy, it's a week before Christmas, and she is going to drive to the middle of nowhere to meet a man who it seems doesn't want to see Liv.
When the Scottish weather and a puncture force Liv to abandon her car and seek refuge in a run down wreck of an hotel, there's no lights on but Liv is freezing cold and desperate so she explores the hotel.
What follows is a story full of laughs, mystery, an arrest, new friendships and of course love.
A lovely read this Christmas, you won't want to put it down,