Book Review - Meet Me Under The Mistletoe by Jenny Bayliss

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Title: Meet Me Under The Mistletoe 

Author: Jenny Bayliss

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Pan

Publication Date: 29th September 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

Don't miss the Christmas wedding of the year, in Meet Me Under the Mistletoe, by the bestselling author of The Twelve Dates of Christmas, Jenny Bayliss.

A winter wedding of school friends should be the highlight of Nory Noel’s festive calendar. But that group has long since drifted apart, and Nory is dreading the lavish, week-long affair. Still, she supposes, being the only single person means she gets a king-size bed in the idyllic castle venue all to herself.

As the champagne flows, the years roll back and soon the air is alive with old sparks and old tensions. Desperate for a moment of peace, Nory escapes and crashes into Isaac, the castle’s gardener – and her former school rival.

Nory and Isaac have more in common these days than they could ever have imagined. But as she steals more time away to spend with him, Isaac reveals an astonishing secret about his past. Nory is in a unique position to help right this wrong – but uncovering the truth might mean pushing Isaac away once more . . .

I was really excited when I saw that Jenny Bayliss had a new Christmas book due out, as I have loved her previous stories.  And I'm delighted to say this was no exception, another incredibly enjoyable story, that grew on me a lot as it progressed. 

It take a bit of time to get to know the whole of Nory's old friendship group, for they were originally a very tight eight, best for friends at their private school, and with the exception of Nory, born to a life of privilege (something that is a contentious point for others in the story). 

Getting all together for the first time in years, we get to see them in the week leading up to Jenna and Charles' wedding, all staying in a castle in their home town, and taking a trip down memory lane, falling into old patterns and even the gardener in the castle is a familiar face to them all.  For Nory and Isaac used to be rivals when they were at school.

I loved seeing Nory's developing friendship with Isaac as adults, and Ameera's with Dev who has a lot more going for him than the normal "man barbies" she normally dates.  I also enjoyed despising Guy's despicable behaviour, while feeling sorry for his wife.  

Between a bridezilla, some hidden secrets, a fabulous bookshop (Nory is a bookseller that doesn't like parting with her books even when going to a good home), some gorgeous gardens, and some festive fun and games - not to mention Snowball Croquet - and of course remembering Tristan who was a integral part of the group - we have a very pleasing to read story that I thoroughly loved. 

There is a lot going on in only a short space of time, and the pacing is spot on. So many characters some I adored, others I 'd love to see more from (I need more Dev in my life), and a few that you hope will redeem themselves given it's Christmas. 

I will say though this isn't the most festive feelings of books, so easily one you could read at any point in the year, especially winter, as although it's set in the run up to Christmas, far more of the focus was on the wedding than the season.  A joy to read . 

Thank you to Pan and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.