Mistletoe in Maine

Holiday Brides #3

by Ginny Baird

MISTLETOE IN MAINE (Holiday Brides Book 3)
A single mom takes her kids on vacation in Maine and meets a handsome innkeeper, a young widower with a teenage son.
A winter wonderland love story about faith and new beginnings.

MISTLETOE IN MAINE
A third bestselling Holiday Brides novella on Kindle!
#1 Hot New Release in Single Women Fiction
A Bestseller in Humor (Top 10)
A Bestseller in Single Women Fiction (Top 10)
A Bestseller in Contemporary Romance (Top 100)

MISTLETOE IN MAINE
Believe in magic...

Single mom Carol Baker has the goal of providing an old-fashioned, white Christmas for her two kids. She's been divorced and the kids' dad, sadly, hasn't been the most attentive father. So, Carol takes her crew to New England, hoping for a happy holiday and a chance to make her small nuclear family feel whole. Little does she know that a series of mishaps and adventures will land her in the handsome innkeeper's arms, and cause her to rethink the meaning of faith.

With his only child headed to college, innkeeper Paul Love plans to sell his establishment and take an early retirement in Montreal, where he can live out the solitary life of a bachelor. Though his son and mom have other plans, including a surprise visit from Paul's old high school sweetheart, Beth. But it's hard to focus on Beth, when an offbeat brunette from Virginia captures his imagination. After so much time alone, can Paul open himself up to a little Christmas magic? What's more, can he convince Carol to believe, as well?

A sweet, traditional PG-rated romantic comedy.
Standard novella-length, approximately 25,000 words.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Holiday, Contemporary, Novella, Fiction

101 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 20, 2012

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Ginny Baird writes heartwarming contemporary stories filled with love, laughter, and happily ever afters. Visit her website to learn more about Ginny and her books. www.ginnybairdromance.com

Reviews

[Sally906 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carol is a divorcée with 2 children, her ex-husband rarely sees the kids and to cheer them up she books a snowy Christmas holiday in Maine which she can ill afford. The Hotel keeper is Paul is a widower who has two older children. Throw in an ex-girlfriend, Paul’s cougar mum and her young boyfriend, and two young men each experiencing their first loves and this becomes a wonderful Christmas romance.

[valeria · Rating 2 out of 5]

cute and short

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet, short, and cute Christmas read. I enjoyed it.

Moral Note: Some mild innuendos & subtle hints of couples having premarital sex. A few OMG's.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, but nothing to write home about.

[Kathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

novella did not finish - deleted from Kindle

[Wendy]

So so bad.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book free from the author. I am voluntarily choosing to review it. For a short story, this was very satisfying. It has everything you want in it...a little jealousy, a little romance, disappointment, humor, and a happy ending...everything you need and want from a Christmas romance. This is a perfect, well-written romance packed in a small prettily wrapped bundle. I recommend you read it, and I will definitely be reading more from this author.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. I liked how this story centered around older, more mature characters. The dialogue was witty and well written. The plot kept me intrigued throughout the novel. The budding relationship between Carol and Paul was charming. I loved their relationships with their children. They were very grounded and loving. The Maine scenery was flawlessly described. It made me want to spend my Christmas at the inn!

[Cindy Caron · Rating 5 out of 5]

From heartbreak to falling in love, this short story will melt you inside even though it’s freezing outside. With young imaginations overflowing, and wishful thinking for the more mature, this book has a little bit of everything. Nothing says love better than second chances, especially for those that have loved and lost. Beautifully written and well worth the read.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a fun read but didn’t care for it as much as the one before. The humor is still the, the plot is good and the characters easy to relate to. It is a story of starting over, finding a new love and two families becoming one. I loved the plot and the moose was cute. The characters are easily likable.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this novella was pretty cheesy. Carol was very, I don't know, flighty? Not necessarily the right word, but she was off, that's for sure. The Cougar mom with the young boyfriend calling her "Momma Bear"? Yech!

[Teresa Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another short, sweet, beautifully poignant love story. I like how Ms Baird is able to convey so much feeling in such a short span. It's great, too, that both the hero and heroine are such well rounded people, both in need of love.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know if it's just because I had such a connection to a previously read book, or if I just am not in the mood for a novel such as this one- but I did not feel the pull to this novel that I normally do when I am reading a new novel. I will definitely have to try again later.

[Rosemary Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have submitted this review after listening to the audiobook of this title within the series set box. (Audible Membership)

An unexpected holiday at the "Love Inn" in Maine brings many happy experiences, not only for the guests but for the host and his son.
It became a Christmas to remember.

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute but has some definite flaws. Example: I'm pretty sure that a skiing newbie is going to start on a bunny hill, not taking the ski lift to a challenging run.

[Robin Dix · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is exactly the type of book I love to read during the holidays. Family fun and sweet new romance.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I look forward to the next in the series. So glad I found this author.

[Ginger Mcclintick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good book.

[Cheryl A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can be read in a couple hours. Nice descriptions of persons, locations, and events. This ending seemed unrealistic but was still happy with the book. I would recommend this book!

[Mandi Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short sweet romantic read.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ridiculous and cute. All the snowy Christmas vibes you could want, which made up for some dorkiness to the romance 🤣

[Sasha Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute story

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mistletoe in Maine by Ginny Baird
Carol Baker, divorced lives with her 2 teen kids: Ashley and Will and the kids had wanted to go to Maine for the holidays as their mother is a teacher and had the time off.
Their dad stopped by with her his girl on their way to the islands and gave them gifts and Carol decided then and there that yes they would go to Maine.
Paul Love and his teen son, Daniel who'll be heading to college soon is at his father's inn in Maine when they get company. Family company -Paul's mother and father and a guest they picked up at the airport.
He wants to sell the Inn and move on with his life...
Each one has a special someone they want to spend time with. Ashley is looking out for the Christmas moose and has seen it a few times but can't get anybody to believe her.
Love hearing of the snow skiing lessons...What I really liked was all the romance and friendliest feelings for one another. Easy to keep track of the characters.
So much fun on this journey to Maine, the atmosphere, the snow, the activities, the holiday surprises, the food and the artist.
I received this book from the author as a gift in exchange for my honest review.

[Janie Winsell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mistletoe in Maine by Ginny Baird is a Christmas Novella about recovering from a broken heart. It is not a Christian book, but it is a good, clean read. I love it when an author focuses on relationships rather than lustful actions to begin a romance between two characters.

Carol Baker is a newly divorced mother who is trying to make up for the actions of her ex-husband where it concerns her children. In an attempt to brighten up their Christmas and stick it to her ex, Carol whisks her two children to New England for an old fashioned white Christmas. She finds herself crashing into the innkeeper of her holiday adventure, Paul Love.

Since the death of his wife, Paul has made the decision to sell his business in Maine and live out the solidarity of his bachelor’s life in Canada, while his only son attends the university. Will running into Carol prove that there is still hope for love?

Will Carol move past the hurt of her broken relationship and allow herself to fall for the handsome innkeeper?

This is a lovely short read if you have an hour or two to cozy up next to the fire and enjoy a good and clean romance!

[Nadine Keels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Christmas comfort, like a mug of hot cocoa; moments of humor; nice subplot elements; and whispers of romance that develop smoothly in this novella. Oh, and I was most taken by the part with the moose, feeling a measure of awe as I pictured it--and that's saying something, since animals aren't usually my thing in books, unless it happens to be a book about animals, most likely a children's book.

The book cover is the steamiest thing about this clean romance; the image doesn't match the story's warm, familial atmosphere or what actually happens in the book. And there's a significant fast-forward at the close to tie up loose ends, since taking the reader through all of the details would've required pulling the story away from its Christmas theme.

All in all, though, it's a quick, feel-good read that provides a good dose of holiday cheer.
____________________
I received a complimentary copy of this book in a collection from Sweet Romance Reads in exchange for an honest review.

[Tonileg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finding new love after a terrible divorce is never easy. Some people will never move on, some will take just a few months and then jump back into the game.
Single mom to two great kids, Ms. Carol Baker wants the best for her kids, unfortunately their disappearing father is far from even a mediocre father, he is terrible so it is timely that Carol finds a new love and life in the wilds of Maine, but I'm getting ahead of myself...
Carol is sweet and optimistic and she deserves a great guy like the innkeeper Paul Love at the Love Inn where Carol and her daughter and son are spending the Christmas holidays. So the usual happens, with a little mixed up signals when Beth, Paul's first childhood girlfriend shows up for the holidays. Well written and a fun holiday read on a cold wintery night.
100 pages and kindle freebie
2 stars

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carol Baker has been divorced for a while. Since her ex hasn't been a part of their children's lives, she decides to take them to Maine for a white Christmas, even if it means working overtime to pay for the trip.


Paul Love owns a resort where families can go and enjoy a vacation together. His son is going to college soon, and he wants to sell and move to Canada. His mom and son have other plans. They don't want his dad to sell, so his mom sets him up with Beth, an old girlfriend who ended up marrying one of his friends.

Through different situations, Carol and Paul see their family and each other differently. They only need to believe in love again and let the magic of Christmas time help them come together.

Beautiful story told by Ginny Baird. Even in the cold winter, one can warm up with her characters and their story lines.

[Melanie Tikalsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ginny Baird pulls off a super sweet Christmas romance filled with love, hope, Christmas spirit and od course meddling family members... oh don't forget those long lost and now found first loves.

Paul and Carol have many things in common like foregoing living their own lives while raising their children ... when Carol's ex husband blows off his kids for Christmas, she decides it time to escape the dreary Virgina weather and have a good old fashioned New England white Christmas.

Paul's wife died several years ago and hes had a hard time moving on. Now that his son is leaving for college in the fall Paul decides it's time to sell his bed and breakfast and retire in Canada.

Can Carol and Paul find love and life when they least expected it, just in time for Christmas?

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this holiday read. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and connecting with the emotion Carol felt trying to restart her life after divorce and years of being unappreciated & never truly loved. The story was sweet and I enjoyed the comical scenes in the story. I was a little disappointed in the end only because I wanted more. I felt the end was rushed & left me with wondering how they reached the final scene. I don't want to give too much away. I think it could have had more meat to it. I fall inlove with all of the characters from Carol, Paul , to Paul's kooky mom and boyfriend, to Paul's first love andthe kids. This is definitely a good read & I would suggest it.

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this is one of those books where the cover does not fit the story. In this case, it's the story of a divorced mom who, at the last minute, decides to spend Christmas in Maine with her two kids. She meets the man who runs the inn and a Christmas romance is in the works.

I really like Ginny Baird's Christmas romances so far. They seem like they might be a little spicy, but they end up just right.

Content: some innuendo, but a clean adult read.