by Bella Andre
Series: The Sullivans #10
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
For Mary Sullivan Christmas is, and always has been, about family. And this year is no different. As she awaits the arrival of her eight children and their partners at the cottage in Lake Tahoe, she hangs the ornaments that they made for her over the years. Each decoration brings with it a tide of memories, all of which she holds dear to her heart. But when she comes across the oldest ornament, the one her beloved husband, Jack, gave her on their very first Christmas together, Mary is immediately swept back to the first days of their whirlwind romance, to the love that would be the foundation on which they built the family she is so proud to call her own. Join the Sullivans this Christmas for a story that explores the wonder of the holidays, the meaning of family and a love that transcends time.
Another Sullivan review! I am sure by now, that ya’ll know I have mad love for this family and for Belle Andre, the author who shares them with us. Kissing Under the Mistletoe is the tenth book in the Sullivans series. I had just finished book five, and I was nervous about reading them out of order since I didn’t want anything spoiled. No worries there, as Bella Andre takes us back in time for Mary Sullivan and Jack’s love story. In the back of my mind, I knew how their love story ends. That it was the love of a lifetime cut short, but it also made it bittersweet and utterly romantic. Mini review: heart-warming, hot and memorable.
Mary Sullivan is alone at their cottage on Lake Tahoe waiting for her children, their spouse and her grandchildren to arrive. She is pulling out family ornaments and reminiscing over the memories of each. Then she opens an important box and carefully removes two very special ornaments. As she holds them, she remembers her beloved husband and how they fell in love. Wildly romantic, and sweet I fell in love with Mary and Jack.
Now I know where the Sullivan boys get their charm and stubbornness. I loved Jack and Mary from page one of this novel. For the record, Jack can call me Angel any time. The man was sweet, honest and even learned how to say romantic phrases in Italian. He made me melt. Mary is wonderful and I fell in love with this super mom in The Look of Love, book one of the series. It was nice to meet her as a young , confident woman. I understand why Mary never remarried; I am not sure another man could hold a candle to Jack.
Break out the tissues. Eek, Kissing Under the Mistletoe was such a wonderful romance. The tale had everything from innocent kisses under the mistletoe to heated scenes with red satin sheets. It was such a pleasure watching their romance unfold and Andre made it all come to life. Jack has always been a memory in the novels and getting to know him was delightful. We begin in our journey in San Francisco and travel to Italy before all is said and done. I laughed, sighed and even cried while reading this. Jack and Mary’s romance is the kind little girls dream about.
For fans of the Sullivans or anyone looking for a romantic holiday tale, Kissing Under the Mistletoe offers the perfect, magical kind of romance we expect around the holiday. If you haven’t guessed Bella Andre is on my auto-buy list, and I look forward to sharing more of her books with you.
Four and half cups of coffee out of five
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Lark
I’ve got one or two of her books on my e-reader, but haven’t found time to read them yet. Every time I read one of your reviews, I bump them higher up the TBR list!
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo you won’t be sorry 🙂
Lindy
You know it’s an amazing story when you’re breaking out the tissue’s! I love that special magical romance! I’ve been reading a few holiday romances, and have been really enjoying them myself. Great Review 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Glad you are enjoying them too Liny. I adore this series and hope you get to try them 🙂
Pamela D
This sounds lovely. I am a big holiday romance fan.
kimbacaffeinate
I love Andre, and this series is scrumptious 🙂
Lily B
swoon..
I have to be honest, I have not read her books yet. I know right.. eak. But I bought book 1 not too long ago <3 cause I heard so many wonderful things about her and I know I'll probably really enjoy her books!
I have this one and I am so excited to get to it. Her characters sound wonderful and her stories do sound very heart-warming. I am glad you enjoyed this one!
kimbacaffeinate
You are going to enjoy these, her pacing is wonderful and just sucks you right in.
Lupdilup
This sounds lovely 🙂 I listened to my first Christmas theme novel last year (kissing Under the Mistletoe by Marina Adair), and it really put me in the Christmas mood, I was going to go check if they have it on audio, if they don’t, I’m going to find the chance to read it.
Thanks!
Christy
That’s so cool how she went back and showed the mom and dad’s story. I should start this series after I finish the Love Undercover books by Lori Foster.
Andrea
Aw, I need to read this! You know I love the Sullivans too. I’m just afraid of reading it and becoming sad, b/c….
I know I’ll give UtM a try at some point. Nice review!
Michele
This sounds like a beautiful and emotional read. I think I would need my tissues for sure. I adore the enthusiasm you have for Bella Andre. I will definitely be reading this author as soon as I can! Wonderful review, my friend!
Heidi
I know you have read a bunch of this author’s books and loved them. I really want to find time to read one of her books. They sound delightful.
kimbacaffeinate
These are lovely quick, steamy reads Heidi and a nice change up 🙂
Mishel
I feel so in the dark because this is the first I’ve heard of the author or the Sullivan series. >_< And to be honest I'm not much of a holiday reader but man, I'm digging the sound of this sweet romance. I'm headed over to Goodreads right now to look into this series and start adding to my TBR. I'm excited to go back and read some of your reviews for the beginning of the series too =)
kimbacaffeinate
Mishel..I have been there done that and I look around for the rock I have apparently been living under. This series is wonderful and I hope you enjoy them 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things)
I really do need to get to that Bella book that I have on my tbr. Everytime you review one of her books, I get an itch to start it. I really like the sound of these characters.
However, don’t like the sound of needing tissues! :'( Darn it… but it still sounds good.
kimbacaffeinate
Oooh these were memory cries, you know those ones where you remember your first Christmas together, the first time the baby was aware of the holiday..these were good tears 🙂
Nick
I love how much you love this series, Kim. That is so interesting that the author decided to write the mother’s love story. I think I would love to read about that as well.
Mary and Jack sound like they are incredible characters and I especially like the sound of Jack. I will take a sweet guy over a bad guy anytime.
Fantastic review, Kim.
kimbacaffeinate
I am loving this series Nick, and hoping you get to try them 🙂
Felicia S. (
This one made me cry within the first 20 or so pages. The ornaments–the ornaments– and I was a mess of tears. It was such a great story though and I am glad I read it!
kimbacaffeinate
Oh agreed..the ornaments *hands you a tissue*
Grace Fonseca
Nice Review Kimba. I actually just finished reading the first book in this series and loved it. So I’m really looking forward to reading more from this wonderful series.
Grace
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo enjoy them Grace, I look forward to cracking a new one open each month!
Debbie Haupt
Awe Kimba, what a great holiday read.
thanks for sharing and for such a wonderful heartfelt review.
this is on my wish list too.
deb
kimbacaffeinate
This was a sweet one, Mary has always been the center of the Sullivan children’s universe so it was a perfect holiday tale 🙂
Candace
Even though I wasn’t in love with the one book in this series that I read, this might be one I do like because it’s just a bit different with the romance. At least that’s what I’m thinking. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah I was bummed you didn’t really enjoy it, but this was sweet, and fairly clean 🙂
Janiced Hougland
Love love love holiday stories. I start reading them mid-November and don’t quit until mid-January. I take time out from the business of the holidays for myself…and reading my holiday stories jingles for me!!! And I appreciate your reviews. Thanks for the post.
kimbacaffeinate
I love them too, but admit to stopping over the Christmas holiday, although since I review I begin around November 1st…I love the magic of them 🙂
Jenea
Jack learning how to say something in Italian would make me melt too. Wonderful review. I think this sounds like a perfect read for this time of year.
kimbacaffeinate
agreed, thanks Jenea 🙂
brandileigh2003
Charm and stubborness, what a combo 😀
kimbacaffeinate
agreed 🙂 thanks Brandi
Victoria (aka Zemfirka)
omg! #10? wow 🙂 But I agree with comments above, I think it’s interesting that around the holidays “more” romantic stories is just want we want to see. It’s much easier to suspend the disbelief in “fairytales” this time of the year. And your reviews always make these books sound very exciting!
kimbacaffeinate
I totally love this series from the characters to the steamy love scenes.
aurian
Lovely review, I do look forward to reading this one someday. First, book 4 and on … I am running a bit behind, I have 2 on my shelves now.
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy them 🙂
sherry fundin
I love the cover. I have seen the Sullivan’s around, but am not acquainted with them. I will need to remedy that situation. ^_^
kimbacaffeinate
Oh yes Sherry if you love fleshed out, feisty characters and some heat these books are like crack!
Jenny
Must read Bella Andre Kim!!! Though now I’m all sad about Jack as he clearly dies at some point, or maybe he’s already dead when the series starts? *sobs a little for Jack* I think you new goal in life is to make me cry! I do love a book that gives me all the feels:)
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, he died when the children were young, and we knew that in book one. So we were delighted to get their story. hmm, I have been feeling a tad sappy lately..LOL
blodeuedd
her books are everywhere these days
kimbacaffeinate
I think there are 11 or 12 of them in the series 🙂
Ginny
It’s that time of year where it doesn’t take anything but a sappy Maxwell House commercial to make me cry and you got me all glittery eyed with this review.
P.S. I feel like I know the Sullivans just from reading your reviews. I am planning on reading this series starting in January.
kimbacaffeinate
Gin I am the same way. Everything is a little “more” this time of year. Wahoo! I am so glad you will be starting this series..I cannot wait to read your reviews 🙂
kindlemom1
I almost, almost, picked this up the other day simply because I wanted a fun romantic Christmas read and I didn’t! Now I am kicking myself for not doing it. I had the same fears you did about reading them out of order. I am so happy to know this doesn’t give anything away.
kimbacaffeinate
No worries, it is all pre-kids..LOL
Mary
I haven’t yet read a Belle Andre. *ducks* This definitely sounds like a lurve-and-crying book!
kimbacaffeinate
Oooh if you like fleshed out characters and steamy romances you will love this series Mary 🙂
Sharon - Obsession with Books
I’m lovng your Sullivan’s reviews! You make me all the more excited to start on it.
Thanks for sharing Kimba! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I cannot wait to hear your thoughts 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
Loving the holiday spirit you have with your reading lately.
kimbacaffeinate
It came from the Ho-Ho-Ho read-a-thon but next week I go all dystopain and post-apocalyptic and then dive into historical..LOL