Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: Under the Mistletoe
SERIES: Blue Mountain University spin-off
AUTHOR: A. E. Madsen
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 116 pages
RELEASE DATE: December 16, 2022
BLURB:
Under the Mistletoe
Nicky
I’ve had a crush on Flynn for years; I even followed him to college. But when we finally kiss instead of sparks flying, it proves he doesn’t think of me that way. Maybe it’s time I accept it and move on.
Flynn
Kissing under mistletoe is just a silly holiday tradition. Besides Nicky is my little brother’s best friend, and it was barely a peck. It shouldn’t matter that I see him kissing another guy a few days later. So why do I have the urge to walk over there, drag him into my arms, and kiss him senseless?
Under the Mistletoe is a best friend’s brother Christmas Novella. This is a spin-off from the Blue Mountain University series and includes some character appearances from those books, but it’s not necessary to read that series first.
REVIEW:
A visit back to BMU for the holidays with a little Mistletoe magic thrown it 🎄
Flynn is one of the baristas at the coffee café that all the university students frequent for their caffeine fix. He is also a bit of a Grinch when it comes to the over-the-top decorations that seemed to have sprouted at work overnight. He just wants to get done with his shift and also finish up this last year of school. What he doesn’t expect is that a silly kiss with his little brother’s best friend under some inconveniently placed mistletoe would lead to finally opening his eyes to Nicky. Nicky has had a crush on his lifelong best friend Levi’s big brother Flynn since he realized he was gay. Unfortunately Flynn barely realizes he even exists except for acknowledging he’s Levi BFF. But that kiss meant the world to Nicky and Flynn just shrugged it off with a “Knock it off. It’s just Nicky” that fractured his heart. He finally realizes that it’s just a silly childhood crush and he has to move forward even if his heart says no. After Flynn learns from his brother that he has been blind about Nicky for years it gets his mind spinning but it appears it’s too late because Nicky seems to have moved on…or has he? Because you should never underestimate the power of the little sprig of mistletoe!
Having grown up in Oregon I remember going out to harvest some mistletoe for the fancy mistletoe ball holder that hung just inside our entryway during the holidays. A kiss upon entering was always expected. It is a tradition I have very fond memories of. Having the mistletoe kiss finally open Flynn’s eyes to Nicky made the story that much more special to me.
Brother’s best friend and unrequited love in holiday novels are always a special treat for me and this novella hits all those warm and snuggly needs. I loved that Nicky had hope to someday finally catch Flynn’s attention and had a hard time letting go of that desire. The heart knows what it wants and who it wants and, for Nicky, that want and need was Flynn!
This is a fast-read novella set in the Blue Mountain University universe and we get a few special moments where characters from the series drop in. I think my favorite was Aiden helping Nicky learn to play pool. I hope that you enjoy this sweet book as much as I did. Although it really isn’t necessary to have read the series to enjoy this Christmas treat I encourage you to give the whole series a try. I glad I did and can’t wait for more.
RATING: 
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