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Daughter of Montague #2.5
Much Ado about Mistletoe
Fair Verona celebrates the most joyful Christmas season in all of this flat earth, and for spirited 20-year-old Rosie Montague, sleuth and daughter of Romeo and Juliet (alive and well and still passionately in love), the season holds a thrilling new kind of mystery . . .
My famously optimistic and romantic mother, Lady Juliet, has declared, “I’m determined the Montagues and all of Verona shall experience a peaceful start to this holy Christmastime!”
Mamma . . . what were you thinking? Why would you so challenge the Fates? This season already promises to be especially eventful because Prince Escalus the younger is to be married. To me, Lady Rosaline.
Now a P.R. visit to Verona’s market with Prince Escalus is dampened by a fortune teller’s dire prophecy, a blaze in Verona’s orphanage forces Verona’s tempestuous citizens to unite to save their city from ruin, and I discover more about Escalus, his secret kindnesses and his many masks. And much to my discomfort, I also make discoveries about myself, and realize that Mamma's resolve may indeed be exactly what we need to create a joyous Montague family Christmas.
My famously optimistic and romantic mother, Lady Juliet, has declared, “I’m determined the Montagues and all of Verona shall experience a peaceful start to this holy Christmastime!”
Mamma . . . what were you thinking? Why would you so challenge the Fates? This season already promises to be especially eventful because Prince Escalus the younger is to be married. To me, Lady Rosaline.
Now a P.R. visit to Verona’s market with Prince Escalus is dampened by a fortune teller’s dire prophecy, a blaze in Verona’s orphanage forces Verona’s tempestuous citizens to unite to save their city from ruin, and I discover more about Escalus, his secret kindnesses and his many masks. And much to my discomfort, I also make discoveries about myself, and realize that Mamma's resolve may indeed be exactly what we need to create a joyous Montague family Christmas.
93 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2025
45 people are currently reading
565 people want to read
About the author
Christina Dodd
103 books5,921 followersUpcoming:
— 6/30/26 TEACH THE TORCHES TO BURN: Daughter of Montague Historical Fiction #3 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
New and Now!
—MUCH ADO ABOUT MISTLETOE: Daughter of Montague Christmas novella https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
— THUS WITH A KISS I DIE Daughter of Montague Historical Fiction #2
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
— A DAUGHTER OF FAIR VERONA Historical Fiction Trade Paperback Once upon a time a young couple met and fell in love. You probably know that story, and how it ended (hint: badly). Only here’s the thing: That’s not how it ended at all…
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
— WELCOME TO GOTHIC: A Gothic novella in ebook (at last!) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
— WHAT DREAMS MAY COME Daughter of Montague novella 1.5 "I’m the daughter of Romeo and Juliet. Yes, that Romeo and Juliet. No, they didn’t die in the tomb…" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
— GIRL ANONYMOUS “Crackling sexual chemistry and a few love scenes guaranteed to scorch readers’ fingers as they turn the pages." — ⭐️ Booklist
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Readers become writers, and Christina has always been a reader. Ultimately she discovered she liked to read romance best because the relationship between a man and a woman is always humorous. A woman wants world peace, a clean house, and a deep and meaningful relationship based on mutual understanding and love. A man wants a Craftsman router, undisputed control of the TV remote, and a red Corvette which will make his bald spot disappear.
When Christina’s first daughter was born, she told her husband she was going to write a book. It was a good time to start a new career, because how much trouble could one little infant be?
Ha! It took ten years, two children and three completed manuscripts before she was published. Now her suspense, paranormal, historical, and mystery novels have been translated into 30 languages and sold more than 15 million copies in print. Praised for her “brilliantly etched characters, polished writing, and unexpected flashes of sharp humor that are pure Dodd” (Booklist), her award-winning books have landed on numerous Best of the Year lists and, much to her mother's delight, Dodd was once a clue in the Los Angeles Times crossword puzzle. She lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest, where her 700 lavender plants share the yard with her husband’s various “Big Projects,” including a treehouse, zipline, and their very own Stonehenge.
Enter Christina’s worlds and join her mailing list for humor, book news and entertainment (yes, she’s the proud author with the infamous three-armed cover) at christinadodd.com. For more information on A DAUGHTER OF FAIR VERONA, visit daughterofmontague.com. Her legions of fans know that when they pick up a Christina Dodd book, they'll find the story, "Wildly entertaining, wickedly witty!"
Christina is married to a man with all his hair and no Corvette, but many Craftsman tools.
(Source: http://www.christinadodd.com )
— 6/30/26 TEACH THE TORCHES TO BURN: Daughter of Montague Historical Fiction #3 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
New and Now!
—MUCH ADO ABOUT MISTLETOE: Daughter of Montague Christmas novella https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
— THUS WITH A KISS I DIE Daughter of Montague Historical Fiction #2
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
— A DAUGHTER OF FAIR VERONA Historical Fiction Trade Paperback Once upon a time a young couple met and fell in love. You probably know that story, and how it ended (hint: badly). Only here’s the thing: That’s not how it ended at all…
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
— WELCOME TO GOTHIC: A Gothic novella in ebook (at last!) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
— WHAT DREAMS MAY COME Daughter of Montague novella 1.5 "I’m the daughter of Romeo and Juliet. Yes, that Romeo and Juliet. No, they didn’t die in the tomb…" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
— GIRL ANONYMOUS “Crackling sexual chemistry and a few love scenes guaranteed to scorch readers’ fingers as they turn the pages." — ⭐️ Booklist
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Readers become writers, and Christina has always been a reader. Ultimately she discovered she liked to read romance best because the relationship between a man and a woman is always humorous. A woman wants world peace, a clean house, and a deep and meaningful relationship based on mutual understanding and love. A man wants a Craftsman router, undisputed control of the TV remote, and a red Corvette which will make his bald spot disappear.
When Christina’s first daughter was born, she told her husband she was going to write a book. It was a good time to start a new career, because how much trouble could one little infant be?
Ha! It took ten years, two children and three completed manuscripts before she was published. Now her suspense, paranormal, historical, and mystery novels have been translated into 30 languages and sold more than 15 million copies in print. Praised for her “brilliantly etched characters, polished writing, and unexpected flashes of sharp humor that are pure Dodd” (Booklist), her award-winning books have landed on numerous Best of the Year lists and, much to her mother's delight, Dodd was once a clue in the Los Angeles Times crossword puzzle. She lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest, where her 700 lavender plants share the yard with her husband’s various “Big Projects,” including a treehouse, zipline, and their very own Stonehenge.
Enter Christina’s worlds and join her mailing list for humor, book news and entertainment (yes, she’s the proud author with the infamous three-armed cover) at christinadodd.com. For more information on A DAUGHTER OF FAIR VERONA, visit daughterofmontague.com. Her legions of fans know that when they pick up a Christina Dodd book, they'll find the story, "Wildly entertaining, wickedly witty!"
Christina is married to a man with all his hair and no Corvette, but many Craftsman tools.
(Source: http://www.christinadodd.com )
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
December 12, 2025
This is a wonderful series, and this novella was way too short. I am so happy that we will get a full-length novel in June, 2026. Rosie is a young heroine who finds herself soon to marry the Prince of Verona. She is a smart woman, except when it comes to knowing her own heart. She still thinks someone else is her One True Love. But the more she gets to know Prince Escalus the closer they get. I think she will be happy with him, but Rosie has a very strong will and it may take some time for Cal to woo and win her over, but I'm sure he is up to the task.
As the family of Romeo and Juliet gather for Christmas celebrations, Rosie and Prince Escalus do some PR at the Christmas Market in Verona where they encounter a fortune teller who imparts a disturbing prediction. Later that night a fire breaks out in the city's orphanage, and everyone helps the injured and displaced. Rosie is becoming more and more infatuated with her soon to be husband and uncovers more and more about him as a man.
As the family of Romeo and Juliet gather for Christmas celebrations, Rosie and Prince Escalus do some PR at the Christmas Market in Verona where they encounter a fortune teller who imparts a disturbing prediction. Later that night a fire breaks out in the city's orphanage, and everyone helps the injured and displaced. Rosie is becoming more and more infatuated with her soon to be husband and uncovers more and more about him as a man.
October 29, 2025
Fun!
I love this series so so much, and every book reminds me why I ship Rosie and Escalus. Rosie's family is completely charming and delightful. I love the characters, I love the setting and the plot. I will be waiting so impatiently for the next book.
I love this series so so much, and every book reminds me why I ship Rosie and Escalus. Rosie's family is completely charming and delightful. I love the characters, I love the setting and the plot. I will be waiting so impatiently for the next book.
December 15, 2025
After the harrowing events that ended Thus With a Kiss I Die, I was glad to join Rosie, her Montague family, and the Prince with his retinue on a quick new Yuletide adventure taking place on St. Lucia's night to kick off the festive season.
Rosie and her family are making preparations for a night of gifts, food, and revelry including her two married sisters and their families along with her fiance and his family.
She ventures out into the Christmas market to help Escalus shop gifts for the orphans and destitute and there encounters a Romani woman who had to leave her daughter in the orphanage for her own good, but wants to check on her, but gives Rosie a fortune-telling that leaves her uneasy.
Not long after, something drastic occurs and Rosie and her family pitch in to help, but she also gets a startling reminder what it will mean to be married to a man with duties to all of Verona and that has to transcend even holidays sometimes. And, she also gets a glimpse into one of her married sister's lives and realizes that not everyone gets a Romeo and Juliet type of marriage.
Much Ado About Mistletoe was a quick 'in-between' novella before the next exciting mystery in the Daughter of Montague series. I love this series and was thrilled to spend St. Lucia's night and Yuletide with the Montagues.
Rosie and her family are making preparations for a night of gifts, food, and revelry including her two married sisters and their families along with her fiance and his family.
She ventures out into the Christmas market to help Escalus shop gifts for the orphans and destitute and there encounters a Romani woman who had to leave her daughter in the orphanage for her own good, but wants to check on her, but gives Rosie a fortune-telling that leaves her uneasy.
Not long after, something drastic occurs and Rosie and her family pitch in to help, but she also gets a startling reminder what it will mean to be married to a man with duties to all of Verona and that has to transcend even holidays sometimes. And, she also gets a glimpse into one of her married sister's lives and realizes that not everyone gets a Romeo and Juliet type of marriage.
Much Ado About Mistletoe was a quick 'in-between' novella before the next exciting mystery in the Daughter of Montague series. I love this series and was thrilled to spend St. Lucia's night and Yuletide with the Montagues.
December 25, 2025
I adore this series. So. Dang. Much.
December 28, 2025
This woman delights in torturing me by dropping delectable morsels of book and then making me wait months for the next hit.
December 27, 2025
I was not expecting this to be so delightful! Fun standalone Xmas story. Now I want to read the series!
November 7, 2025
I absolutely loved Christina Dodd's Much Ado About Mistletoe! Seriously, this book grabbed me from the first chapter and simply would not let go. I’m talking about a genuine, "oops, it’s 3 AM and I just finished it" experience—I read the entire thing in one sitting!
What makes it such a winner is Dodd's incredible wit. Her writing sparkles; the dialogue is snappy, and you can just feel the author having fun crafting these hilarious, yet heartfelt, moments. It keeps the energy constantly high, which pairs perfectly with the story's fast pace. There's never a lull; every scene pushes the action forward, making it impossible to stop reading until you know how everything turns out.
It's the perfect holiday escape—charming, smart, and genuinely absorbing. I'm already so excited for whatever she writes next! I can't wait for the next installment—this is a series I'm now committed to following till the very end.
What makes it such a winner is Dodd's incredible wit. Her writing sparkles; the dialogue is snappy, and you can just feel the author having fun crafting these hilarious, yet heartfelt, moments. It keeps the energy constantly high, which pairs perfectly with the story's fast pace. There's never a lull; every scene pushes the action forward, making it impossible to stop reading until you know how everything turns out.
It's the perfect holiday escape—charming, smart, and genuinely absorbing. I'm already so excited for whatever she writes next! I can't wait for the next installment—this is a series I'm now committed to following till the very end.
December 24, 2025
It's Christmas time in fair Verona and the Montague family is preparing for Rosie to marry Prince Escalus (Cal) on the winter equinox. While on a stroll through the Verona Market with her betrothed (unchaperoned, but accompanied by three of Cal's guards), encounters a woman tells her fortune - many children, just like her parents the renowned Romeo and Juliet.
There is a fire at the local orphanage and Rosie, Cal, and her family all go to help fight the fire, prevent its spread, feed the masses, or tend to the injured where Rosie meets Evella. Young Evella, who had lived in the orphanage, helps Rosie tend to the injured, managed the crowds, and is quite a character herself (much like Rosie). We also learn a bit more about Prince Escalus's past from his bodyguard.
This was a quick read of just 93 pages and just a fun to read as the previous books in the Daughter of Montague series. Can't wait to read Teach the Torches to Burn (book 3) when it comes out in June!
There is a fire at the local orphanage and Rosie, Cal, and her family all go to help fight the fire, prevent its spread, feed the masses, or tend to the injured where Rosie meets Evella. Young Evella, who had lived in the orphanage, helps Rosie tend to the injured, managed the crowds, and is quite a character herself (much like Rosie). We also learn a bit more about Prince Escalus's past from his bodyguard.
This was a quick read of just 93 pages and just a fun to read as the previous books in the Daughter of Montague series. Can't wait to read Teach the Torches to Burn (book 3) when it comes out in June!
January 20, 2026
Not typical Christmas Story haha
But it was still cute. They're all ready to celebrate a saint festival when fire to an orphanage sends the whole city in an uproar. The Montagues help and its honestly all so wholesome and sweet. No murders in this one, just family, holidays, and love.
Rosie and Cal do see her old beau but I like that she wasnt wishy washy and making the most of her relationship with the Prince 🥰
We do get 1 kiss out of all the attempted ones and mistletoe around lol
But I felt the story ended abruptly with Cal leaving the Montagues hanging. Rosie seems to just see it as her having to get to know her fiancé more. Excited for the next book to come to see how these two interact 😍
But it was still cute. They're all ready to celebrate a saint festival when fire to an orphanage sends the whole city in an uproar. The Montagues help and its honestly all so wholesome and sweet. No murders in this one, just family, holidays, and love.
Rosie and Cal do see her old beau but I like that she wasnt wishy washy and making the most of her relationship with the Prince 🥰
We do get 1 kiss out of all the attempted ones and mistletoe around lol
But I felt the story ended abruptly with Cal leaving the Montagues hanging. Rosie seems to just see it as her having to get to know her fiancé more. Excited for the next book to come to see how these two interact 😍
November 18, 2025
St. Lucy's Eve with the Montegues
This novella is another fun romp that is also an eye- opener into a better understanding of Cal. Rosie continues to learn more about her betrothed and realizes he's more complex that she previously thought. Eventually I believe she'll realize he is her One True Love, not Lysander. I can't wait for the next book! Highly recommended.
This novella is another fun romp that is also an eye- opener into a better understanding of Cal. Rosie continues to learn more about her betrothed and realizes he's more complex that she previously thought. Eventually I believe she'll realize he is her One True Love, not Lysander. I can't wait for the next book! Highly recommended.
December 15, 2025
This short installment ended too quickly, but I'm hooked on the entertaining series.
December 29, 2025
lmao why am i so locked in on this silly series? time to go back to some more serious books
January 9, 2026
Fair Verona celebrates the most joyful Christmas season in all of this flat earth, and for spirited 20-year-old Rosie Montague, sleuth and daughter of Romeo and Juliet (alive and well and still passionately in love), the season holds a thrilling new kind of mystery . . .
My famously optimistic and romantic mother, Lady Juliet, has declared, “I’m determined the Montagues and all of Verona shall experience a peaceful start to this holy Christmastime!”
Mamma . . . what were you thinking? Why would you so challenge the Fates? This season already promises to be especially eventful because Prince Escalus the younger is to be married. To me, Lady Rosaline.
Now a P.R. visit to Verona’s market with Prince Escalus is dampened by a fortune teller’s dire prophecy, a blaze in Verona’s orphanage forces Verona’s tempestuous citizens to unite to save their city from ruin, and I discover more about Escalus, his secret kindnesses and his many masks. And much to my discomfort, I also make discoveries about myself, and realize that Mamma's resolve may indeed be exactly what we need to create a joyous Montague family Christmas.
Heather's Notes
This story was short, but I enjoyed it. It was a nice read. I do believe Rosie's belief about who her "true love" is starting to get old. It is obvious he is not, and she is smart enough to see it. I am also ready for Escalus and Rosie to be married. But otherwise a good story.
My famously optimistic and romantic mother, Lady Juliet, has declared, “I’m determined the Montagues and all of Verona shall experience a peaceful start to this holy Christmastime!”
Mamma . . . what were you thinking? Why would you so challenge the Fates? This season already promises to be especially eventful because Prince Escalus the younger is to be married. To me, Lady Rosaline.
Now a P.R. visit to Verona’s market with Prince Escalus is dampened by a fortune teller’s dire prophecy, a blaze in Verona’s orphanage forces Verona’s tempestuous citizens to unite to save their city from ruin, and I discover more about Escalus, his secret kindnesses and his many masks. And much to my discomfort, I also make discoveries about myself, and realize that Mamma's resolve may indeed be exactly what we need to create a joyous Montague family Christmas.
Heather's Notes
This story was short, but I enjoyed it. It was a nice read. I do believe Rosie's belief about who her "true love" is starting to get old. It is obvious he is not, and she is smart enough to see it. I am also ready for Escalus and Rosie to be married. But otherwise a good story.
October 29, 2025
Love this series!
Great story! I love this series & can’t wait for the next book. I wish the novellas were available as audiobooks.
Great story! I love this series & can’t wait for the next book. I wish the novellas were available as audiobooks.
November 11, 2025
2.5 rounded up. While I knew it was a short story when purchasing- l did not realize that it was 80% new story that kind of ends abruptly and a preview of the next installment in the series. It is always a fun time stopping in Verona for a quick jaunt with the residents but there seemed to be something missing from the story. I was not left wanting more in a way of the text book, I simply wanted more to the Christmas celebration, the family and the new characters who where introduced in depth and then simply put behind the curtains.
November 16, 2025
LOVED this one! Too short!! I love that we get to know Cal a little more each book. Can't wait for the royal wedding!! Is it June 30th yet???
November 21, 2025
This is the fourth title in this series and I love them all! This is a novella and so a very quick read. In this one, Rosie is preparing for her upcoming wedding when the local orphanage burns down. We learn more about Prince Escalus, who is Rosie’s betrothed. A great read!
December 9, 2025
I’ve been counting down the days until I could read this but it was rather disappointing. Even for a novella, the story lacked substance and it was pretty disjointed. I was also sad to realize that about 30 of the 100 pages were just a preview for the next book. Instead of feeling like a short story, this just felt like chapter that got loose from a larger book.
November 20, 2025
Dramatic humor.
A short glimpse into the holidays about a week before the wedding of Rosie, daughter of Romeo and Juliet and Prince Escalus. Humor and drama by the ton. Highly recommended.
A short glimpse into the holidays about a week before the wedding of Rosie, daughter of Romeo and Juliet and Prince Escalus. Humor and drama by the ton. Highly recommended.
November 30, 2025
4 Stars
Nice little Christmas short to bridge the gap between books 2 and 3.
Nice little Christmas short to bridge the gap between books 2 and 3.
December 8, 2025
Verona as it hustles and bustles during Christmas time.
December 10, 2025
Very quick snippet but I like that Rosie and Cal are growing closer together. I don’t think that Lysander is her One True Live
November 5, 2025
Charming story about our favorite Rosie spending her last holiday before her wedding. Loved it.
January 18, 2026
So wonderful
Rosie and Cal are multilayered.... She's a true heroine, sceptical of everything with a heart of gold
It seems Cal is fierce, strong and loyal to a fault
I can't wait to read more of their story
I have already pre-ordered the next installment
Rosie and Cal are multilayered.... She's a true heroine, sceptical of everything with a heart of gold
It seems Cal is fierce, strong and loyal to a fault
I can't wait to read more of their story
I have already pre-ordered the next installment
November 26, 2025
A sweet Christmas novella for Rosie. I love the romance 💕 of her and Cal. I will be anticipating the wedding and glad for a sneak peak at the end…absolutely love Nonna Ursula!
“People who do what’s right regardless of the challenges are by nature interesting. Doing what’s honorable and honest requires bravery.“
“People who do what’s right regardless of the challenges are by nature interesting. Doing what’s honorable and honest requires bravery.“
November 27, 2025
shakespeare with a twist
I keep finding this series delightful. I look for all the references and easter eggs/ gems. The story is character driven and each in the series creates depth, insight and drama. There are plays within plays within plays. I am pre-ordering them now.
I keep finding this series delightful. I look for all the references and easter eggs/ gems. The story is character driven and each in the series creates depth, insight and drama. There are plays within plays within plays. I am pre-ordering them now.
December 4, 2025
A cute, little in between while we await the next adventure.
November 11, 2025
Really needed this after my last read! The slow burn is done exceptionally well and I love Rosie’s personality! I just want them to get married already (please and thank you).
November 26, 2025
Absolutely loved this! I cannot wait for the next one!
November 10, 2025
Enjoyed, and looking forward to the next book. Cal is such an unexpectedly interesting and unpredictable hero--I'm really enjoying him. And Rosie's character is such a fun one to experience as well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews