Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this e-arc!

I really loved this book a lot. It was different to what I was expecting. I went in totally blind and I was blown away. I loved the Scottish dialect and how it seemed so real.

The main characters were written and developed effortlessly! A cute, cosy, mysterious Christmas read!

An intriguing tale which poses that question, what happens when something seems too good to be true and isn't, and you actually decide to do something about it...which brings the question, should you!
I've been a fan of this author since her first book came out and the quality of her writing had never slipped. Sit down, turn off the phone and enjoy!
My thanks to Netgalley and Aria for the reading copy.

Sadly this was a rough read for me. 1.25 out of 5 stars, I wanted to love it but I couldn’t. Full review on Medium that goes in depth with my issues with this book.

https://medium.com/@briannashrout/mistletoe-magic-in-the-highlands-earc-review-8ff902c20cc4

I want to start by thanking Netgalley, Bella Osborne, and Aria & Aries for a copy of Mistletoe Magic In The Highlands in exchange for an honest review. Reader, I want it to be known that I am a Christmas enthusiast through and through, and when I got approved for this book, I was beside myself. I mean, just look at that cover. What isn't to love? It is a Christmas romance that takes place in Scotland and has a cow named Ginger. I was sold. If you can not tell by my ramblings, Reader, I will say it here: I loved this story.

In this story, we follow Liv, an English woman who is consistently ghosted by the men that she meets. Fraser is the latest to ghost her, and this time, Liv has had enough. Liv is talking it over with her mother and sister one night and decides enough is enough; she is going to find out why this man has ghosted her. So, like any frustrated and infuriated woman, she hops into her sister's car and heads for Scotland in search of Fraser. All she knows about this man are the few things she has learned about him through a dating app and a few weeks worth of communication. The rest she found out through the internet. Liv knows that he is a chef and works in a hotel kitchen, so she sets off for the hotel. Along the way, she ran into a bit of trouble at a gas station, which had me cracking up. I was laughing so hard that I even read it out loud to my husband, which got him laughing as well. When Liv finally arrives at her destination, things do not go as smoothly as she was hoping. Aside from her accident, when she arrives, Fraser has absolutely no idea who she is, or so it seems. This, needless to say, is a bit confusing and puts a major damper on her confronting him. Then, because of Liv's accident and some unforeseen circumstances that arise, Liv finds herself stuck in the Highlands.

I loved watching how Liv handled being stuck in an unfamiliar place with people she had never met. I enjoyed the friendship that developed with Effie throughout the story. I thought Liv was a real friend to her, and seeing how close they became was sweet. Liv was patient with Effie even when Effie was struggling. I also got a kick out of some of the grandmother's friends and the antics they got up to. I do not want to forget to mention the banter between Fraser and Liv, which I found to be rather entertaining. Their dynamic is the typical grumpy sunshine trope, which I thought was handled very well. One thing I appreciated about this story is that there was no spice because I am not a big spice reader.

If you are looking for a cozy, romance-type Christmas story for the season that will give you all the Hallmark feels, then I think this would be a great read for you. There are some heavier topics to be aware of in this story, but for me, I thought it really added a little something to it, and they were handled well. I very much enjoyed this story and will be revisiting it next Christmas season. This is the only book I have read by Bella Osborne, but it won't be my last. I look forward to reading more by this author.

Trigger Warnings:
- Mentions of Parental Death
- Mentions of Car Accidents
- Mentions of Infidelity

“Mistletoe Magic in the Highlands” is a super cute read and great for this time of year. I cringed with how the story started but grew to love the main FMC. She definitely is a heart on her sleeve character and definitely felt a little early 2000's vibe romcom movie quirky girl so it took me a while to get used to that.. I love the setting and hearing about how the grumpy character had a soft spot for his friends and very defensive for them.

I think Ginger was adorable (the highland cow) that caused a bit of mischief for the FMC.


ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Olivia, was getting to know an online date called Fraser, then one day he disappears and no longer can be found online. Olivia fed up with being ghosted, decides to take matters into her own hands. She tracks down Fraser to have it out with him.

However upon arriving, snow hampers the journey and she trudges to the only nearest at this run down hotel in Scotland’s Highlands to seek refuge. To be greeted by a grumpy chef called Fraser and a eclectic mix of family members. Stuck there Olivia finds herself becoming attached to the place and the residents.

A passable distraction from everyday life, but not the best of the festive books around.

Thank you to Aria & Aries | Aria and NetGalley for the gifted copy in exchanged for honest review. This is the funniest slow burn, enemies to lovers I’ve ever read! I normally avoid slow burns because they just get super annoying but this one doesn’t!! This book has so many loveable characters, hilarious jokes, and a twist I did not see coming in the end!!!!

My thoughts



Narrative and Plot


Mistle Magic in the Highlands had all those human elements that make a Bella Osborne novel special. I've read her previous works like The Library and The Promise of Summer. Both of them had this theme of two odd characters finding a connection that they were desperately missing in their lives. The beauty of it is that it doesn't always have to be a romantic connection, as we see in The Library.

In this story, however, I didn't find that insurmountable urge to root for the connection between Effie and Liv. The story was enjoyable, but it didn't move me the way I expected it to, nor did it immerse me in that holiday atmosphere.




Characters and Conflicts


Liv was ghosted by Fraser, or at least that’s what it appears to be. The whole reason Liv goes out there is to confront Fraser. However, the story takes a different direction and feels like it is all over the place.

There are a lot of new characters who didn’t serve much of a purpose in the general context of the story. Some of the conflicts that were introduced much later into the story resolved magically on their own.

Liv's reason for prolonging her stay in the Scottish Highlands and her voluntary involvement in their lives wasn’t convincing enough. It took me out of the story at times, wondering why she was doing it in the first place.



Conclusion




Overall, I enjoyed this little adventure in the Scottish Highlands. It has that small-town charm and innocence. However, it could have been more put together. This was a one-time read for me, even though I enjoyed the experience.

I'll be honest and admit I picked this book based on the Highland cow on the cover. Obsessed! Fortunately, this story was just as funny and cute as my beloved hairy coos. Olivia heads to the Highlands to confront the Scottish chef who ghosted her on a dating app. Then there's fake amnesia, a snowstorm and a house full of quirky guests and family and spirited septuagenarians. This book was a ton of fun. I'd love to read another book with these characters to see how things are going with the hotel.

Thank you to Aria & Aries | Aria and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. I am required by law to disclose this.

Am absolutely adorable atmospheric wintry read. I loved the setting so much, it was perfectly cozy for this time of year.

Mistletoe Magic in the Highlands by Bella Osborne had a promising premise and a picturesque setting that initially drew me in. The idea of a holiday romance unfolding amidst the stunning backdrop of the Scottish Highlands seemed like the perfect recipe for a heartwarming tale. However, the execution left much to be desired. The chemistry between the two main characters, which is crucial for any romance novel, was notably absent. Their interactions felt forced and lacked the spark needed to make their relationship believable and engaging. The narrative seemed to meander without a clear direction, failing to deliver the emotional depth that one would expect from a love story set against such a magical setting.

Moreover, I struggled to connect with either of the protagonists. Their character development felt superficial, and their motivations were often unclear or inconsistent. Without a strong emotional anchor, it was difficult to become invested in their journey or root for their eventual happiness. The dialogue, which should have been a source of charm and wit, often fell flat, further diminishing the overall impact of the story. While Mistletoe Magic in the Highlands had the potential to be a delightful holiday read, it ultimately did not come together in a way that resonated with me, leaving it as a rather forgettable entry in the romance genre.

Thank you to Netgalley and Publishers for giving me a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Christmas in the highlands would be beautiful, and I loved the clever back and forth between the main characters. Faking amnesia was a little tiresome. I did mostly enjoy the story. Thanks #NetGalley

Ooh I really enjoyed this book.

It's fairly funny at times, it's definitely entertaining and omg Ginger has to be one of my favourite pets I have read this year. She is a rather mischievous highland cow, that thinks she is a dog, and leads of Liv having to stay up in Scotland for longer than she intended.

After all Liv had only travelled up to the Highlands to give Fraser a piece of her mind, after he had ghosted her online, but although she recognises him, he shows no recognition of her, and then there is snow and car issues and she is stranded up at his not exactly open, potentially haunted hotel!

Fraser not only gives Liv a room when it is realised she can't go anywhere but is persuaded to take in a few other stranded people too, which made the dynamics between everyone really interesting.

Effie is a really sweet natured if perhaps a tad naive girl who is related to Fraser and makes fast friends with Liv. There are quite a few small mysteries to be solved throughout the story which Robbie Williams, the local friendly policeman, may or may not have been useful in!

All set in the run up to Christmas, this was a charming and really entertaining story that I totally adored. I devoured it, and thoroughly enjoyed every word.

Thank you to Aria and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

As mush as I was excited about this read, it was a no. I could not connect with the characters at all and found the FMC a bit annoying that didn’t take ownership of her actions. The end did feel a bit rushed. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book so much that I bought my own copy so I could read it again!

As a fan of all things Christmas, I look forward to this time of year when all the festive books begin to appear. Almost all of my favourite authors, like Bella Osborne, publish a Christmassy story. This title and its cover suggested a trip to Scotland and plenty of snow. Once I started to read, I became completely engrossed in the story and finished it in just a couple of sittings, so reluctant was I to put it down.

The central female character in this story is Liv Bingham, who has been ghosted on a dating site and is determined not to take this lying down. She had really thought there was a growing relationship with Scottish chef Fraser Douglas; they had so much in common. But suddenly he, and all of their communication, disappeared into the ether. With the help of her mother and sister, Liv tracks down Fraser, and, even though it’s almost Christmas, sets off on the 200 mile drive to the highland hotel where he works. After an eventful journey, she finds herself at the rundown building and steps in the middle of apparent chaos. Moreover, when at last she comes face to face with Fraser, he seems surprisingly to know nothing about her.

I have so enjoyed reading this festive and highly amusing book. It had me laughing out loud at the situations Liv found herself in throughout the story. I did feel sorry for her having been ghosted by the incredibly handsome and hunky Fraser, but the complications that arose for Liv, mainly involving his cousin and her grandmother, were at times absolutely hilarious. I would love to catalogue all the amazing things that went on, but no spoilers here. I can only urge other readers to go out and find the book; you’re in for a treat and a good few laughs if you do.

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