Review: The Trouble With Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis

The Trouble With Mistletoe
Jill Shalvis
Series: Heartbreaker Bay #2
Published: September 27, 2016
Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: (Taken from Goodreads)
If she has her way ...

Willa Davis is wrangling puppies when Keane Winters stalks into her pet shop with frustration in his chocolate-brown eyes and a pink bedazzled cat carrier in his hand. He needs a kitty sitter, stat. But the last thing Willa needs is to rescue a guy who doesn’t even remember her ...

He’ll get nothing but coal in his stocking.

Saddled with his great-aunt’s Feline from Hell, Keane is desperate to leave her in someone else’s capable hands. But in spite of the fact that he’s sure he’s never seen the drop-dead-gorgeous pet shop owner before, she seems to be mad at him ...

Unless he tempers “naughty” with a special kind of nice ...

Willa can’t deny that Keane’s changed since high school: he’s less arrogant, for one thing—but can she trust him not to break her heart again? It’s time to throw a coin in the fountain, make a Christmas wish—and let the mistletoe do its work ...

My Thoughts:
There is just something about Jill Shalvis and her books that always feels comfy cozy, like I'm coming home. She has been one of my favorite authors for years now. But, sadly, I feel as if her current Heartbreaker Bay series just isn't capturing my attention the same way her other books have. I don't even know what it is... but I'm just not obsessively in love with it. Don't getme wrong. I still enjoy the book plenty... it just seems to be lacking her Shalvis magic.

But, enough of the sad stuff. This book centers around Willa, whom we met in the first book in the series, and new swoon-worthy boy Keane. Willa has had a very hard life... but she has come out stronger on the other side. She owns a pet shop / pet sitting service / Pet grooming store. She keeps her friends close, and collects other young girls with hard lives to help out. She knows the secret to winning every pet's heart, and is perfectly content. However, she cannot for the life of her make a good decision when it comes to men. The men she lets in, always end up screwing her over.

Enter Keane, he was one of the first guys to hurt her... and sadly he doesn't even remember what he did. I liked the added 'they kind of knew each other in high school' component... or I started too. But, then it disappeared almost as quickly as it came. It was nice that Shalvis didn't let their childhood issues carry their connection, but I just didn't feel like it ended up adding much to the story at all. Anways, Keane is great. He has lived his life as the black sheep of his family, and tends to keep himself removed because of it. However, he has the sweetest most loving heart. When his ailing aunt shows up with her cat, he doesn't hesitate to help her. Or anyone else that he sees in need. I just adored him.

Obviously Willa and Keane hit it off, but will they be able to find true love before Christmas? You will have to read and find out. If you are looking for a Christmasy romance... this is a great one to read. The characters are great, there is kitty love, and it's just sweet. You don't have to have read the first book in order to enjoy this book. Although, it will help you get to know the side characters a little better. But this is a cute Christmas book all on its own as well.