🎄 ✨💕 “No Ordinary Christmas” (Mistletoe, Maine #1) (2021) 💕✨🎄– Book Review

 

MY REVIEW

 

Series: Mistletoe, Maine (Book #1)

Paperback: 336 pages

Publisher: Forever (September 28, 2021)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1538735989

ISBN-13: 978-1538735985

⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information

 

“Mistletoe, Maine, is buzzing and not just because Christmas is around the corner! Dante West, local cutie-turned-Hollywood hunk, is returning home to make his next movie. Everyone in town is excited . . . except librarian Lucy Marshall. When Dante took off for LA without warning—or even a goodbye—he broke Lucy’s heart. She swore not to spend one more minute thinking about her ex, but Dante makes an offer Lucy’s struggling library can’t refuse: a major donation to film on-site.

 

Dante is thrilled to help boost his hometown’s economy and finally begin making amends to the people he hurt years ago when he left, starting with Lucy. But seeing his former best friend on set every day feels a lot less like closure and more like a fresh start. It’s one thing for Dante to fall for Lucy all over again, quite another for a famous movie star and a small-town librarian to find lasting romance. Can the magic of the holiday season give Lucy and Dante’s first love a second chance?”

 

Thank you in advance to the author, Belle Calhoune, for providing a complimentary review copy. A positive review was definitely not required or requested in any way; all words are my own.

Believe it or not, I own three books by this author, but this is the first book I’ve read.

 

I bought Her Secret Alaskan Family (Love Inspired), I WON a re-issue of Reunited at Christmas (Alaskan Grooms #4) (LI), and this was a review copy. As of note, I do … “someday” (laughing) plan to get to the other titles.

So, why am I reading No Ordinary Christmas now? Christmas!!

 

I love Christmas! Everything about the holiday – I love it:

 

🍬 Candy

👃🏻 Smells

🎁 Gifts

✨ Decorations

📖 Books

🎄 Trees

🍗🍠🥧 THE FOOD!!

 

A Christmas story set in a town called Mistletoe? I’m definitely up for reading it! And, how could I not with that GORGEOUS, picturesque cover? Can it be Christmas now?

 

The characters?

 

Calhoune has a diverse cast of characters. They aren’t support characters either – they are part of the main cast. Well-written, believable, and it is hard to know who to root for here – Dante or Lucy? He’s a big star, she’s a small-town librarian.

 

There is also Dante’s brother, Troy; as well as Dante’s friend, Nick who is a single dad after an accident claimed his wife’s life.

 

The “cast” is rounded out with Lucy’s sister Stella, and their kid sister 10-year-old Tess. Of the three, I ADORED Tess. She is definitely going to go far. Can we have a book about her in about 12 years? I’ll read it!!

 

Going in, this already has a Hallmark movie-like vibe to it. Not surprising at all. One of her Love Inspired books (An Alaskan Christmas, Alaskan Grooms #6) was made into a movie – Love, Alaska. Click the photos for purchase links: 

No Ordinary Christmas does have a few potential triggers that need to be mentioned while they are not directly in the story, they are a part of the background. These include: drug abuse, marital infidelity, mention of miscarriage, and homelessness.

 

Who wouldn’t dream of their childhood crush being a mega-star and returning home to film a movie? Probably not Lucy who was left behind when Dante went to pursue his dreams. Of course, there is another reason he left – a personal one.

 

Lucy is stunned at how much of a parade and welcome home honor that Dante is getting. But, what she doesn’t know is the real reason for his return.

 

Dante is home, obviously to not just film, but to make amends. Lucy is one of the people on his list. His journey is deeply personal. He’s also looking for closure, something Lucy didn’t get when he left.

 

Right off there is a tension to the reunion between Dante and Lucy. And, Dante knows he was wrong for not saying goodbye to her.

 

Once 10-year-old Tess finds out, she schmoozes Dante up and wants him to visit her class. I had to laugh at this girl! And, Lucy works that in as a requirement to using the library for filming. At first she thinks it is an action film, but it isn’t.

 

And, there is a deeper reason for the movie – it is personal, definitely a “love letter”.

 

It isn’t just Lucy he needs to make amends with. Dante needs to make amends with his brother Troy. Neither one is going to be too easy, especially when Troy does something that could damage his brother’s reputation and chances with Lucy.

 

At one point, Nick and Dante discuss the past. Nick, because of losing his wife, is unable to forward but afraid of sliding back. I truly hope Nick gets his own story.

 

When the filming starts, Lucy isn’t too interested – until she is. It is during the filming that she notices something oddly familiar about the setting, the actress, and the scenes. Dante finally confesses to Lucy about it. But, Lucy isn’t too sure of his intentions.

 

Dante also confesses about his departure. But, while the two get closer, they also seem to drift apart. Mistletoe is still Dante’s past and Lucy’s future. Beyond the movie, there is no reason for him to stay. Or, is there?

 

Stella has her own moment with an ex and it interferes with her own perception of Dante and his motives. And, as soon as I saw Missy (one of the actresses), I knew she was trouble. Although, I and readers will be surprised at how things turn out.  

 

With drama, love, laughter, and a few little scrapes; the author pulls off a charming and sweet romance that will have anyone believing in Christmas miracles.

 

Like Lucy, I use the term ginormous as well (that pertains to a particular eatery’s “large” bowl). I truly shared her sentiment about Christmas – what isn’t to like? Though the idea of a wreath with mini lobsters had me in giggles.

 

Another giggle scene? After a misunderstanding, Dante texts Lucy and in response she wants to use the TURD emoji. I couldn’t stop laughing!! Who hasn’t used this thing?

 

And, Tess? Let’s just say she gives Dante a literal “kick” which is something he needs

 

No Ordinary Christmas is one of those sweet, emotional, redemptive, reflection, and at times humorous second-chance romance books that truly embraces the Christmas spirit. This is a 1-2 day, snuggle on the couch with a cup of cocoa kind of read. There are times it can be a little heart-breaking, so keep some tissues handy. I definitely didn’t want to put it down for a moment, but alas, I often had to. It was so easy to come back to and jump right back in.

 

I loved the references to THE GODFATHER, MIRACLE ON 34^TH STREET, STAR WARS, and BUTCH CASSIDY & THE SUNDANCE KID. One of them I was young enough to see in a theater. Had a slight problem, but afterwards? I was okay. Then again, I was about 13 months old at the time.

 

The book has an even and steady pace. It doesn’t linger too long, unless Lucy is going on about Dante’s looks. That was the only thing I had a slight problem with, but hey – there are some guys out there that are that handsome you want to carry on about. I’ll admit, I’m swoony for a particular one. But, the engaging dialogue and sweet moments kept this story moving right along. Chapters weren’t short, but they weren’t over 25 pages long either. The author’s descriptive writing, particularly about food, definitely made me hungry reading it.  

 

I liked the idea of the celebrity “freebies” mentioned. The author had an interesting take on it – by refusing freebies Dante appears ungrateful, BUT he doesn’t want to seem like he’s using his status.  

 

This isn’t like Calhoune’s Love Inspired reads that has a Christian/faith theme. There are no Christian or faith references at all in it. For the most part, it is a clean read with regard to intimacy (kissing only; and that is about 39% of the way into the story). There is some reference to “sex appeal”, but it is kept clean. The only questionable language is the use of a$$ when Dante is referring to himself.

 

I definitely wouldn’t hesitate to read the author’s Love Inspired books, her other books, and I am definitely looking forward to the second book of this series. As the next book’s information is on Amazon – all I will say is … it is about Stella. And, another guy I thought would be in it? I was right there as well.

 

There is another couple to watch for as well – Denny and Nora. Would definitely love to see their story too.

 

Those looking for a diverse, clean, and sweet holiday read are sure to enjoy this. Fans of the author from her Love Inspired books might want to check this out as well.

 

 

 

RATING:

 

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads

 

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – BookBub 

 

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Belle Calhoune grew up in a small town in Massachusetts as one of five children. Although both her parents worked in the medical field, Belle never considered science as the pathway to her future. Growing up across the street from a public library was a huge influence on her life. Married to her college sweetheart, she is raising two lovely daughters in Connecticut. A dog lover, she has one mini poodle named Copper and a black lab, Beau.

 

She is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author as well as a member of RWA’s Honor Roll. In 2019 her book “An Alaskan Christmas” was made into a movie (Love, Alaska) by Brain Power Studios and aired on UPTV. She is the author of more than 40 novels and published by Harlequin Love Inspired and Grand Central/Forever Publishing.

 

 

You can find her on the following social media accounts:

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bellecalhounebooks

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellecalhoune/  

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BelleCalhoune

 

Website: https://bellecalhoune.com/

 

 

 

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