I baked a pan of pecan pie and then promptly burnt the edges while trying to flip sourdough starter notes into my notebook. Baking always calms me. This time, flour on my sweater and a slightly sad pie led me to pick up Mistletoe Meet-Cute. I read the opening page with a cooling pie beside me and a mug that said “world’s okayest mom.” The novella felt like slipping under a big blanket after a chaotic kitchen. It reminded me how a short holiday book can be the warm, silly treat I need between family chaos and freelance deadlines.
Plot Summary
Mistletoe Meet-Cute by Bella Matthews follows Holly, a sunny, Christmas-loving woman who becomes the nanny hired by Camden, a grumpy, single-dad quarterback in Kroydon Hills. The setting is a small-town, festive backdrop where holiday events and family traditions create both tension and moments of tender connection. Holly’s warmth clashes with Camden’s guarded, grinchy exterior as they navigate trust, parenting, and attraction while Sophie—the child—brings softness and real stakes to the relationship. This novella is the first entry in the Christmas in Kroydon Hills series and blends sports romance, single-dad/nanny dynamics, and holiday rom-com beats into a compact, festive story.
Why I Love This Book
I love how the story finds full feeling in a short page count. The characters are immediate and lived-in. Holly’s cheer is believable, not saccharine. Camden’s walls are convincing and slow to crack. The novella balances warmth and heat well. The child scenes bring real heart without dragging the plot. The pacing felt cozy and quick—perfect for a stormy evening with candles and a blanket. Readers calling this book “spicy” aren’t wrong; it has scenes that lean into passion while staying character-driven.
Who Will Like This Book
If you enjoy holiday romance, grumpy/sunshine tropes, single-dad stories, or sports romance, you’ll likely enjoy Mistletoe Meet-Cute. It’s a festive, small-town romcom with steamy moments and family-centered stakes. I’d recommend it for readers who like quick, feel-good novellas with emotional beats and a clear romantic arc. I wouldn’t recommend it for someone looking for slow-burn, long-build romances; this one moves with novella energy and delivers a tidy, sweet (and spicy) payoff.
⚠️ Trigger warning: mature sexual content/explicit scenes, single-parent themes and child presence, mild language, emotional intensity around parenting and vulnerability.
Tagged As
holiday romance, Christmas novella, romcom, small town, single dad, nanny romance, grumpy/sunshine, sports romance, quarterback hero, steamy romance, quick read, series starter (Christmas in Kroydon Hills), indie/HEA
Steam Level
The novella includes explicit romantic/sexual scenes that are woven into the characters’ emotional growth. The heat serves the chemistry and is fairly direct for a holiday romance, so expect steamy encounters rather than fade-to-black. The intimate moments feel earned and tie into how the characters open up to each other.
