Found this book to be heavy going emotionally. I came to this book as a brand new reader of Kari Lynn Dell so had no preconceptions of her work.
This book is part of a series but I read it as a standalone and didn't feel lost once.
I was honestly expecting a sweet, feel good, holiday second chance romance. Instead I got an emotional rollercoaster, heavy with issues and angst. Some of the storyline was very deftly dealt with, there was sensitive handling of adoption, addiction and abandonment. However, I felt the author kept piling on trauma and unhappiness in order to push the HEA onto the reader. In the end it almost felt as though the hero and heroine were exhausted by the never ending drama and so clung to each other for sanctuary instead of by choice.

I wish there had been some moments of light relief for me to enjoy but I understand it may not have worked for a number of other readers.

Overall, I liked Grace and her journey more than Hank and his journey back to each other. I found Grace to be likeable and most of her decisions ultimately the right ones. Hank to me, didn't seem as well thought out as a character and I disliked some of his actions.

Overall, this was a well written book, but I'm not sure if I will immediately look for more titles by the author. I would have to prepare myself for a heavier read than my usual lighter romances.

This is a second chance at love story. Hank and Grace had known each other all of their lives. They had always felt a bond with each other but, both of them had issues with their families and insecurities. Then they had one night together that changed everything. When Hank comes back to town after three years, the love is still there but, so are their family issues and a secret that could destroy everything. This is a story about love, forgiveness and acceptance.

I have always loved Ms Dell's cowboys. The descriptions are always spot on in all things cowboy like ranching, rodeoing, training and loving, just everything to make you feel you're in the thick of things with them all. She knows her stuff!
This read goes further into some hardhitting emotions I'm just not impressed with, as I like heroes and heroines, even with flaws so it's more realistic, but this is a roller-coaster I wanted off of. Yes, it got my emotions firing, but I wanted to kick both their butts. Is there such a thing as too realistic, too packed and then everything is all ok?
I read for enjoyment, excitement, escapism, this didn't quite do that for me.
I received an ARC thru NetGalley and am giving my honest review.

I have been enjoyed this series since the beginning, and loved seeing them back together again! Although Cole is my favorite character, I enjoyed seeing how Hank has grown in this book, and how the lives of the group have evolved. Hopefully it's not the last!?!

This book is about “righting what you have done wrong”, taking another chance on love ( not only for the books main characters, but another couple as well), reuniting family, stepping away from an abusive relationship and learning how to have a conversation without the comfort of food.
When you read this book you are immersed in a group of people and how everyone makes this book come together. Read on to find out what happens!
Kudos to Kari Lynn Dell

I'm a fan of redemption storylines. Maybe because so few people are ever able to redeem themselves in real life.

I enjoyed Mistletoe in Texas and it answered the lingering questions of the last book in the series. (This book is the 5th in the series but I think it could be read as a stand alone.)

I found the drama level of this book pretty high, but I understood why it needed to be so. I liked both Hank and Grace. Hank was self-destructive and flawed but I appreciated what he went through in order to get his life back in order. Grace was immature and overwhelmed by life, but I felt like she really developed a better understanding of life and maturity by the end of the book.

Hank and Grace belonged together and I felt like they improved each others live by the end of the story.

Hopefully, Dell will continue this series as I have enjoyed every one of the books so far. Or a new series would be appreciated as well:)

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys small town contemporary romance.

This is the first book I read by this author. What a fantastic storyteller. The story of Hank and Grace was a roller coaster of emotions. First they had to get through their past and then a huge secret, that just about tore them apart before they could find any happiness.
But the writing style of Kari Lynn Dell just pulls you into their lives. I didn't want to put this book down. It was one fantastic story. Another new author I will have to check out more of her books.

What's that saying about pride before a fall? Young love becomes adult mayhem, when a wandering cowboy revisits his past regrets. Mistletoe in Texas is a look at how foolish pride could have life long repercussions. For Grace and Hank emotions didn't turn out so well. The first time around was a bust that left a great deal of collateral damage. Neither realized the impact of the choice they made to walk away. As they say too little to late. When the life found turns out not to be the one hoped for is when it helps to rethink a few things. Whether you agree or disagree with many of Grace's choices and a few of Hank's, a few things have to be remembered. When young we don't always use our heads, but listen with our hearts. That's a casualty that makes us human. The lessons we learn from our mistakes are what help us to grow into a more understanding person. Dell reminds us what it means to be young and in love. The innocence, heartache and hopefulness, but loving also means a willingness to forgive and move forward. In this maze of hurtful secrets and foolish pride, we find the truth of what love is...FORGIVING.

Mistletoe In Texas by Kari Lynn Dell is an amazing western romance. Ms. Dell has delivered a well-written book. The cast of characters is a little overwhelming at first, but the main characters are phenomenal. Hank was on his way up in his rodeo bullfighting career until bad luck or bad choices sent him into hiding in northern Montana. Grace grew up as Hank's friend but wanted more. Their decisions and their paths bring them both back to Texas. Hank and Grace's story is loaded with drama, humor, sizzle, lots of angst and a ton of friends and family. I enjoyed reading Mistletoe In Texas and look forward to reading more from Kari Lynn Dell in the future. Mistletoe in Texas is part of the Texas Rodeo Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Hank and Grace's reunion was a long slow road. Not only did it take years, but the book had so much going on that it seems to have taken forever to get to it. The first half was Hank trying to show and prove to everyone that he has changed. I want to say that I think that some of the content could have been shorter maybe skimmed a little. But then I think that we might miss something.
Mistletoe in Texas, is a great cowboy romance.

This book has it all, second chance romance, unplanned pregnancy, mental health issues, building a life after a career ending injury and RODEO! The emotion in this story is crazy, up and down. The characters were warm and forgiving. I just loved it!

I will not be reviewing this book because of the reasons that I will mention in the "Comments for the Publisher" section.

Review by 2shay..........

Full of angst, regret, guilt, remorse and redemption, Kari Lynn Dell has hit a home run with Mistletoe In Texas.

I’m a little stunned. I wasn’t sure that I could ever like Hank after some of the jackass stunts he pulled in previous books, so I was a little slow to warm up to him. Grace, however, captured my heart in the previous book, Fearless In Texas, by making some really hard choices. It takes a great deal of courage to step up and do the right thing when you know that so many people will condemn you for it. It also takes a brave author to address such a hard subject, knowing she will also face some backlash. I would love to discuss this whole book in detail, but it would be one spoiler after another. And opinions. Mine. Okay, one opinion. A small one. I love Grace and support her choices. There. Read the book if you want more.

Hank left Texas as a mixed up, petulant boy with some serious issues...he returned a man. He’s changed. A lot. He’s harder looking, quieter. And he’s well aware of the wrong turns he’s taken in the past. He has a lot to make up for, and he intends to make things right. He has been guided through the worst time of his life by a councilor, Bing, with some help from an old friend, Gil Sanchez, who volunteered to be his sponsor. They have kept a close eye on Hank for years and think he’s ready to face his demons and make amends. Bing isn’t sure how Hank will be received in Earnest, and fears he will spiral backwards if things go badly, so she follows him to Texas just days after Hank arrives.

Bing has a pretty tough backstory of her own, but has long since dealt with her issues, and has made a career of helping others. She and Hank have developed a strong bond, more like mother and son than councilor and patient.

I have to stop. I’m going to tell the whole story, and it’s way better in the words of Ms. Dell. I do want to add that the reconciliation between Hank and his dad, Johnny, is a highlight. I think Johnny should have his own book, but that may not happen. The rekindled romance between Hank and Grace was heart wrenching. I’m not kidding...I cried great big, ugly, snotty tears for Grace. I wanted to hug her. It’s a romance, so you know they will find a way to work through their issues, but their path is rocky. But this story is not just a romance, it’s a love story. It’s about the love between family and friends who are more than family. It’s about knowing the worst things about someone and loving them anyway.

(Psst....there is an hilarious scene of Hank and Grace riding double after an accident. Trust me, there is no graceful way for two people to mount the same horse and about a hundred ways it can go wrong...quickly. I laughed til I cried. Been there. Done that.)

Grab a copy and enjoy the best of what Kari Lynn Dell has to offer. It’s always worth your time.

Enjoy! ARC graciously provided by Sourcebooks and NetGalley for an honest and voluntary r

I wasn't sure about this author because I haven't read any of her work before. I loved this story which covered some tough subject matter but was well written with strong characters. Cowboys with a heart of gold you cannot go wrong. Pulled me in from the start and easy to follow along.

4.5 stars. *Trigger warning: This book deals heavily with the topic of adoption and though it was discussed and dealt with very well IMO, it may be upsetting to people that have issues with this topic.*

I was hooked on this book right from the start, and stayed hooked through the whole story, which is pretty impressive for a slower moving novel. This is a second chance romance and lots of personal baggage from the past and the present was dealt with, and I have to give my Kleenex warning for those who read in public. I liked seeing the evolution of the characters as they move past their issues. This was the 5th book in a series, which I didn't know when I picked this book. While I knew there were several back stories to the friends, I was never lost on the plot. Overall, a good story. *I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and this is my voluntary and honest review.

This definitely isn't a light, frothy Christmas story but it's still a very enjoyable read.

Hank and Grace knew each other as children. Hank was the bad boy while Grace was smothered by her loving parents. Now, all grown up and back in their hometown, will they be able to find a way to revive their once close friendship.

It's a great, emotional read. I think you'll enjoy it.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Redemption, reunion of childhood friends, families on the mend. Likable characters. I did want a little more at the end. Overall, a great emotional read

I read the other books in these series when they had already published. It was very cool to read another book in a series before its publication date. Anyways if you read the others in this series than you will for sure love the continuation of this book.

Hank and Grace shared a special friendship growing up. Both came from homes with less than ideal situations. Hank was always the screw-up. Grace was the good girl. Hank came suffered from a lack of parental attention while Grace was smothered by it. Hank goes off to be a bullfighter while Grace goes off to college. Both go through traumatic events that deeply affect them. Years later, Hank comes home to work on healing. Will he be able to mend all the fences he destroyed? Can Grace forgive him for the pain he caused her and will Hank be able to handle the ramifications?

The characters in this story are so deep. Their journies are very emotional. I really enjoyed this book. It definitely wasn't light reading but it was well worth it and does have an HEA. I didn't realize that this book was part of a series. I have other books in the series but I haven't read them yet. I wish I had. You don't have to read the other books first but it would help with the backstory.

This was one of the best books I have read and I've read a lot of books. The characters are deep, the author obviously knows a lot about rodeo, ranching, small town life and medical issues. I usually wind up frustrated when I read a book where an author obviously hasn't researched what they write about. Not so with this book.

I can't recommend this book highly enough. The only downside is that the books I read afterwards seemed trivial.

Another fantastic, authentic contemporary western romance by Kari Lynn Dell. The rodeo life seems vivid and genuine and the characters are complex and three-dimensional, their relationships hard and tender and full of hidden scars and secrets, but so genuine! Hank is a tortured hero in the process of healing. The romance between John and Bing is heartwarming and other male characters like Gil Sanchez and Trevy are just claiming their own story. I just missed seeing Maddie in the flesh; I hope she will appear in future stories.