Thursday, December 19, 2024

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Madeleine’s Mistletoe Meet Cute by Ellie Hall

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring Madeleine’s Mistletoe Meet Cute by Ellie Hall. It's a great book if you're looking for a quick and fun Christmas read. 

About the Book
I’m a ghostbaker—covertly making Christmas cookies for the dough-challenged—and a virtual assistant on the side. When an impossibly attractive guy in flannel kisses me under the mistletoe, sparks fly, then fizzle. He’s my boss.

Maddie
You know the saying, “Things are coming up roses”? More like they’re last year’s wilted and withered poinsettias. To cap off a series of unfortunate events, I accidentally sent my boss another client’s content. He didn't find the first kiss quote social media graphic amusing. Despite never meeting face-to-face, I doubt anything could make the grumbler smile.

However, when I get a cookie baking contract in a charming small town, I can’t help but think this is my big chance to pay off Gran’s medical bills. Then I realize I’m competing with the enemy: Stone’s Coal Co., my boss’s business.

Duffy
My mother fancies herself Mrs. Claus. She and her merry band of matchmaking elves are determined to find me “The One.” Home for the holidays, the “Not-The-One” who single-handedly ruined me for romance, is at the company holiday party. Acting rashly, I kiss a cute woman under the mistletoe. When our lips touch, it’s nothing short of a Christmas miracle. But it turns out she’s my virtual assistant.

Instead of stomping on the brakes, we go on a fake dating spree, resulting in entering the Annual Christmas Charity Bake & Bazaar Auction. I tell myself after the oven timer dings, it’ll be over. But I’m tangled in tinsel as secrets and lies pile up.

Even if we leave Santa cookies, I have a feeling if we keep up the charade, we’ll end up with coal in our stockings. But can we somehow make it work and land on the “Good List?”

This is a clean, sweet, closed door, small town, Christmas romantic comedy featuring a grumpy boss, mistaken identity, a fake relationship, a chorkie named Pop Tart, and lots of holiday merriment.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday
How to break your life in three easy steps:
  1. Fall in love with your best friend and find out it’s unrequited.
  2. After leaving a store, get into the wrong car and nearly be arrested.
  3. Accidentally send your boss another client’s content…that involves kissing.

Friday 56
The baking timer buzzes, and I startle, realizing it’s been going off like an alarm. I could use my lucky apron right now…or my sisters. But there’s no time to stop if I’m going to stay on schedule and have time to help Duffy.

What have you been reading lately?

6 comments:

  1. There is a hilarious song by Jimmy Fallon about the Hallmark movies at this time of year. I just listened to it for the first time today and then I read the blurb about this book and it could be the in the song. Check it out on spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/4YNyT7iJDr2LAj0T8mwC3v?si=cfe6b4dfdedf4125

    Thanks for sharing.

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  2. That is really weird how the spacing on that last sentence came across. I didn't do it on purpose.

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  3. Looks like a great pick for this time of year!

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  4. That's such a great beginning! Totally makes me want to keep reading. :D

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  5. Happy Friday!
    I’m just starting Brave by Mesu Andrews. It’s about King David from the Bible.
    “With Saul’s ever-tightening grip on his spear, my hopes of remaining in his family plummeted.”
    I hope you have an excellent weekend!

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  6. Ellie Hall's Madeleine’s Mistletoe Meet Cute sounds like such a delightful holiday read! The mix of romance and festive cheer is just what I need for the season. Looking forward to adding this to my reading list. Currently reading Just Tell Me When by Elizabeth Bright.

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