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ameserole's review against another edition
3.0
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Mistletoe Pact definitely gave me those Hallmark Vibes. Mostly because it seems like two friends, who became lovers, took FOREVER and a day to finally become a thing. Of course things got messed up after a little trip down to Vegas... but honestly what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
Unless you want to divorce someone? Again, not sure but these two seriously needed to acknowledge their feelings for one another and just freaking talk to each other. It frustrated me to no one with their little dance around one another. At times, things could be cute but other times it felt like nails on a chalkboard for me because of the miscommunication.
Other than that, I did actually end up liking the book. Mostly because of the cute moments but that's it. I could have done without all the extra drama that came attached to certain characters. Still, somehow, these characters made it all work out in the end.
I'm happy that I got the chance to dive into this because I'm very excited for the colder weather to come my way. So I will definitely need to dive into more Holiday books soon.
The Mistletoe Pact definitely gave me those Hallmark Vibes. Mostly because it seems like two friends, who became lovers, took FOREVER and a day to finally become a thing. Of course things got messed up after a little trip down to Vegas... but honestly what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
Unless you want to divorce someone? Again, not sure but these two seriously needed to acknowledge their feelings for one another and just freaking talk to each other. It frustrated me to no one with their little dance around one another. At times, things could be cute but other times it felt like nails on a chalkboard for me because of the miscommunication.
Other than that, I did actually end up liking the book. Mostly because of the cute moments but that's it. I could have done without all the extra drama that came attached to certain characters. Still, somehow, these characters made it all work out in the end.
I'm happy that I got the chance to dive into this because I'm very excited for the colder weather to come my way. So I will definitely need to dive into more Holiday books soon.
andrea_author's review against another edition
3.0
When they were twenty-two, Dan and Evie made a pact under the mistletoe. If they weren't married by age thirty, they would marry each other. And on a drunken night in Las Vegas, that's what they do. Is it a mistake, or a sign they belong together?
This book is not what I expected. It goes back and forth in time between the present day and the intervening years since they made the pact. It's a low-angst, slice-of-life type novel without any real obstacles except their fear of commitment. Despite the commercial hook, this novel is more literary in its style and structure. (You could remove the Vegas wedding and subsequent intimate encounter, and it's wouldn't change the story at all.) This book might appeal to fans of Sally Rooney.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This book is not what I expected. It goes back and forth in time between the present day and the intervening years since they made the pact. It's a low-angst, slice-of-life type novel without any real obstacles except their fear of commitment. Despite the commercial hook, this novel is more literary in its style and structure. (You could remove the Vegas wedding and subsequent intimate encounter, and it's wouldn't change the story at all.) This book might appeal to fans of Sally Rooney.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
smalltownbookmom's review
4.0
3.5 rounded up.
Better than your typical British holiday romance!! I was pleasantly impressed with this heartfelt Christmas story about two friends who make a marriage pact and then years later accidentally (on purpose??) get married after a wild night in Vegas. Told from dual POVs and alternating timelines, I enjoyed getting to know Evie and Dan's journey to HEA. Recommended for fans of books like One day in December or This time next year. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital audiobook copy!
Better than your typical British holiday romance!! I was pleasantly impressed with this heartfelt Christmas story about two friends who make a marriage pact and then years later accidentally (on purpose??) get married after a wild night in Vegas. Told from dual POVs and alternating timelines, I enjoyed getting to know Evie and Dan's journey to HEA. Recommended for fans of books like One day in December or This time next year. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital audiobook copy!
meganlee3001's review against another edition
3.0
This book had all the potential of a five star read and I was so sure that's where it was heading but it just fell flat for me.
I loved the characters, they were all fun and likeable. I really enjoyed reading about them.
But the author just seemed to skip over some major events. Like I really thought the Vegas wedding was going to be the plot of the book but it's almost brushed over, especially the aftermath.
Honestly it's a little difficult to say what didn't work without spoiling the book. I just felt like the author really had trouble keeping all the threads of the story going. For example, we meet Millie, a troublesome friend. We meet her at the start of the book. We then meet her again so much later than I actually forgot she was in this book. She makes a random appearance, says one line and that's it for Millie. Never to be seen or heard of again.
I understand that obviously in a romance there's going to be some boundaries to the characters being together but it really felt like the author took these a step too far.
In the end, the resolution was totally anticlimactic and I really wish it had been something more because I was set to love this book.
That being said, it was still a good read and I did still enjoy it.
I gave it 3 stars⭐
Thank you to NetGalley, Jo Lovett & Bookouture for an eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the characters, they were all fun and likeable. I really enjoyed reading about them.
But the author just seemed to skip over some major events. Like I really thought the Vegas wedding was going to be the plot of the book but it's almost brushed over, especially the aftermath.
Honestly it's a little difficult to say what didn't work without spoiling the book. I just felt like the author really had trouble keeping all the threads of the story going. For example, we meet Millie, a troublesome friend. We meet her at the start of the book. We then meet her again so much later than I actually forgot she was in this book. She makes a random appearance, says one line and that's it for Millie. Never to be seen or heard of again.
I understand that obviously in a romance there's going to be some boundaries to the characters being together but it really felt like the author took these a step too far.
In the end, the resolution was totally anticlimactic and I really wish it had been something more because I was set to love this book.
That being said, it was still a good read and I did still enjoy it.
I gave it 3 stars⭐
Thank you to NetGalley, Jo Lovett & Bookouture for an eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
thenextgenlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Love a married in Vegas trope, but even though this one started with it, it glossed over it pretty quick, not really explaining what went down until the end of the book. It spent a lot of time going back and forth for the span of 9 years telling Dan and Evie’s story, which I liked (especially the dual POV), but after a certain point it was just too much info and lead up and the conclusion felt rushed. British books always take a bit to get through for me anyway because of the vernacular and punctuation used.
4 ⭐️
CW: abandonment, unplanned pregnancy, adultery, car accident, alcohol use
4 ⭐️
CW: abandonment, unplanned pregnancy, adultery, car accident, alcohol use
illborrowthisone's review against another edition
4.0
This is a super cute story! I thought this was going to be a 3 star read for me. There is a past and present storyline and while I enjoyed both I didn't love the jumping back and forth. Both timelines moved the story along nicely and as it continued I found myself loving the angst. It s-l-o-w burned with feelings for both characters taking a while to manifest. So cute and (while initially slow) everything developed so naturally. There are a few scenes I felt were missing and the end was a little abrupt after such a slow burn, but ultimately I enjoy Dan & Evie and am so happy having finished their story.
bookishlychar's review against another edition
3.0
2.5/5 stars
The book had a great start and set-up for a great premise. Evie and Dan wake up, married in Vegas. We come to find they made a pact eight years ago and in one drunken night they follow through with it. This story is told though flashbacks in time, and the current year to see how Evie and Dan's relationship develops and builds, including relationships with other people, and development of their selves.
I felt that this book had a lot of flashbacks and move forwards that were meant to move the story along, but it just seemed to carry on for so long. This book had so many things going on in it, in both Evie and Dan's lives that just one incident could have built the story, with more added romance, rather than throwing every obstacle possible in their place. This book seemed to have the ultimate miscommunication trope and really, if either Dan or Evie even talked to each other for a minute and were honest with each other, so much heartache and heartbreak could have been avoided.
I just didn't find this a book that I connected with. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book in exchange for an open and honest review. All opinions are 100% mine.
The book had a great start and set-up for a great premise. Evie and Dan wake up, married in Vegas. We come to find they made a pact eight years ago and in one drunken night they follow through with it. This story is told though flashbacks in time, and the current year to see how Evie and Dan's relationship develops and builds, including relationships with other people, and development of their selves.
I felt that this book had a lot of flashbacks and move forwards that were meant to move the story along, but it just seemed to carry on for so long. This book had so many things going on in it, in both Evie and Dan's lives that just one incident could have built the story, with more added romance, rather than throwing every obstacle possible in their place. This book seemed to have the ultimate miscommunication trope and really, if either Dan or Evie even talked to each other for a minute and were honest with each other, so much heartache and heartbreak could have been avoided.
I just didn't find this a book that I connected with. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book in exchange for an open and honest review. All opinions are 100% mine.
wordsbygoldie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
michellestoll's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
heather626's review against another edition
4.0
The Mistletoe Pact by Jo Lovett was a really cute Christmas-time novel. Evie and Dan were long-time friends who made a pact when they were in their early twenties. If neither was married on Evie's thirtieth birthday, they would marry each other. And somehow, they end up in Vegas, married on the eve of Evie's thirtieth birthday with little to no recollection of what they did. What did they do?!
My only complaint with this really cute story, was the jumping around of the time lines. I found it confusing and hard to remember what had happened and what had not happened yet, But I really enjoyed the romantic story and was really cheering for Evie and Dan the entire time. I would love to read other works by Jo Lovett and will be recommending The Mistletoe Pact to other romantic story lovers. Special thanks to NetGalley, Jo Lovett, and Bookouture for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion. (Sorry it took me so long to read!)
4 stars for me
#TheMistletoePact #NetGalley
My only complaint with this really cute story, was the jumping around of the time lines. I found it confusing and hard to remember what had happened and what had not happened yet, But I really enjoyed the romantic story and was really cheering for Evie and Dan the entire time. I would love to read other works by Jo Lovett and will be recommending The Mistletoe Pact to other romantic story lovers. Special thanks to NetGalley, Jo Lovett, and Bookouture for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion. (Sorry it took me so long to read!)
4 stars for me
#TheMistletoePact #NetGalley