Review: No Mistletoe Required by Jeanette Murray

Title: No Mistletoe Required by Jeanette Murray
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 24,000 words
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Dan Beckins isn’t sure how he let his best friend con him into volunteering to build Santa’s Winter Wonderland at the local hospital. He’s got no problems with charity work, but anything Christmas-related is off-limits ever since he lost his parents on Christmas Day years ago. The only bright spot is working with smoking-hot Anna Smith.

Anna Smith loves Christmas and volunteering at the hospital is one of her yearly highlights. She had leukemia as a teen and then a breast cancer scare in her mid-twenties, and is now operating under a self-imposed rule that she can’t have a relationship until the doctors give her a clean bill of health.

A little fling might be permissible, though, and sexy lawyer-turned-carpenter Dan seems like the perfect candidate. But when chemistry flares and the two start forming a real connection, will Anna run away before like turns to love?

24,000 words

The Review:

No Mistletoe Required by Jeanette Murray is sweet yet steamy Christmas romance. A quick read that will definitely touch your heart and put you in a holiday frame of mind.

Ever since he lost his parents in a car accident on Christmas Day, Dan Beckins is a regular Grinch. When he is tricked by his friend Geoff into working on Santa’s Workshop at a local children’s hospital, he grumbles and complains, but he grudgingly fulfills his charitable obligation. That is until he meets the delectably sexy Anna Smith.

Full of Christmas cheer, Anna Smith happily organizes the yearly event at the children’s hospital where she was once a patient. She has a feisty attitude and runs the operation with an iron fist. Beating cancer as a teenager, she has recently undergone another cancer scare. Anna might be steering clear of relationships until she is sure her cancer is not going to recur, but she is definitely on board with a fling with Dan. At least until she begins to have feelings for the handsome lawyer.

I absolutely loved the relationship between Dan and Anna. Both are carrying the scars of their respective pasts, but together they work to overcome their fears. Neither character changes dramatically over night, rather, they undergo a gradual transformation. Anna is key in helping Dan realize Christmas should be celebrated instead of ignored. But Anna stubbornly clings to her decision to avoid a serious relationship until a discussion with her brother opens her eyes to why she continually pushes men away.

Jeanette Murray’s No Mistletoe Required is an entertaining and engaging romance. If you are looking for a fast read that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and give you the warm fuzzies, then you are going to love this fabulous holiday story.

3 Comments

Filed under Carina Press, Contemporary, Jeanette Murray, No Mistletoe Required, Rated B, Review, Romance

3 Responses to Review: No Mistletoe Required by Jeanette Murray

  1. suzanne

    What a sweet Christmas story, great review. Nice HEA and fun read.

  2. Timitra

    Sounds good-thanks Kathy!

  3. Cec

    I will be adding No Mistletoe Required to my tbr pile. Sounds like a lovely story.
    Thanks for the review, Kathy!!