Mistletoe Mansion – by Samantha Tonge

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb:

Kimmy Jones has three loves: cupcakes, gossip magazines and dreaming of getting fit just by owning celeb workouts.

When Kimmy’s Sensible Boyfriend told her he didn’t approve of her longing for the high life or her dream of starting a cupcake company Kimmy thought she could compromise – after all, she did return those five-inch Paris Hilton heels! But asking her to trade in cake-making for a job sorting potatoes is a step too far.

So, newly single - and newly homeless – Kimmy needs a dusting of Christmas luck. And, masquerading as a professional house sitter, her new temporary home is the stunning Mistletoe Mansion. Soon she’s best buds with glamorous next door golf WAG Melissa, and orders are pouring in for her fabulous Merry Berry cupcakes! The only thorn in her side is handsome handyman Luke, a distraction she definitely doesn’t need. And talking of distractions, something very odd is going on at night…

Kimmy is finally living the life she’s always wanted. But will her glimpse into the glittering lifestyle of the rich and famous be as glamorous as she’s always imagined…?

My Opinion:

*Book provided by the publisher on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

First of all: What an amazing cover!

The story follows Kimmy, she wants to have her own business making cupcakes and more. Her boyfriend Adam doesn’t really approve of this and wants her to get a real job. At one point he has enough and throws her out. Let’s just say that I didn’t like him from the beginning.

Her best friend Jess lives with her brother Ryan, or should I rather say lived… The two friends are desperate for a place to live and so they apply for this housesitting job at Mistletoe Mansion. The owner died and his nephew is trying to sell the house now, in the meantime he needs housesitters.

Kimmy and Jess meet a lot of people through that: Terry, Melissa (the wife of a famous golfer) and gorgeous handyman Luke. Terry becomes their friend really fast and he is a real sweetheart. Kimmy gets the chance to cater for Melissa and the two women become good friends. And as for Luke?! He is hot and cold, really nice and helpful one minute and then the total difference the other minute.

Mistletoe Mansion is a spooky house. There is weird fog, creepy music and much more. This added the right spark of mystery to this story and the reveal?! Oh my… but I kind of guessed in that direction…

Kimmy finally goes for her dreams with Luke’s encouragement. There was definitely a chemistry there between them and their scenes had the perfect tension, passion and drama – I loved it.

Kimmy however, still wanted to impress her ex-boyfriend and I just couldn’t understand that. I liked the way the story developed and I just wanted Luke and Kimmy to be honest to each other. There had to be a misunderstanding as well of course ;) And the end suddenly came really fast, which I think was a pity, because I wanted to read more about Kimmy’s life.

I liked the way everything turned out to be though…

Melissa and Jess had their own story to tell through Kimmy, which was great. The characters seemed really authentic.

A lovely written story, with well lined out characters, the right amount of mystery, drama, friendship and love.

Rating:

My possible cast:

Kimmy: Molly Gardner

Luke: David C. Giuntoli

Samantha on Twitter: @SamTongeWriter

Website: http://samanthatonge.co.uk