Author: Cindi Madsen

Genres: Christmas, Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Entangled Amara

Page Count: 400

ISBN: 1640639209

Goodreads Rating: 4.19

From the moment Julie sees her best friend, Gavin, in the airport, it’s like no time at all has gone by instead of months and months. No matter how long they’ve been apart, their relationship has always been steady, comfortable, and decidedly just friends. Even though their meddling parents have hung what seems like unlimited amounts of mistletoe everywhere she goes this holiday season, Julie knows some things will never change. Gavin is well-aware his family’s wanted him and Julie to get together since forever, even though he’s been friend-zoned since they could talk—and he’s been happy to play that role. After all, as the new starting quarterback for the San Antonio Mustangs, he’s got enough on his plate without adding romance to the mix. But between playing elves in the holiday bazaar to nights spent one-on-one watching rom-coms or soaking in their town’s hot springs, suddenly the “reverse parent trap” they’ve fallen into is actually starting to work. But this could be one scheme where letting themselves get trapped might be way too dangerous.

When I first read the book description of ‘The Mistletoe Trap’,  I knew this was a book I wanted to read. And since this book takes place during Christmas, it was the perfect book to read during the HoHoHo Read-A-Thon I’m participating in. ‘The Mistletoe Trap’ is a standalone novel and a part of the Heart in the Game series.

In ‘The Mistletoe Trap’ we meet Gavin and Julie. Gavin and Julie have been best friend ever since they where babies, and their parents have always been trying to get them together forever. But they have always been just friends. Now they are in their twenties and living their lives in different states. Julie works in a lab, and Gavin is a professional football player. But no matter how busy their lives get, and how little they really see each other, they always try to call and just chat with each other. It’s the highlight of their days. And this year with Christmas, Gavin and Julie both go back to their hometown to spent the holidays together. And maybe it’s because of all the mistletoe hanging around.. and their meddling parents, but there is something different going on between them.

‘The Mistletoe Trap’ was from the beginning a very entertaining, nice and cozy romance that made me keep on reading. I loved the two main characters Gavin and Julie. They have this intense friendship, which honestly is something everyone would want. And I love the family they have. Since both their parents are also friends, they all grew up together and it’s just one big happy family. I loved that.

The romance between Gavin and Julie is very sweet and slow. I loved how we got to read this book through both their point of views, and how they slowly got to the realization there was more between them then just friendship. Their where also plenty of funny moments, which made me laugh out loud.

As a Christmas read, it wasn’t too big on the Christmas celebrations but just perfect enough to make it a fun holiday read to read while cozying up with a blanket and some hot coco. And as my first Cindi Madsen read, it definitely makes me want to read more books by her.

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Cindi Madsen is a USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance and young adult novels. She sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children.

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I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Maureen Bakker

Maureen is a mom, wife, nurse, and Ravenclaw living in the Netherlands. She spends her days juggling mom-life, reading, blogging, planning date nights with her husband and working as a nurse. Maureen also is a big Anglophile, loves cooking, Gilmore Girls, Bridgerton and Harry Potter.. Always!  Facebook | Instagram