This was such a sweet "clean" historical romance and yes, it's set at Christmas but it is so much more than just another Christmas novel. I absolutely love the wit and humor, the strength and character of the romantic leads, plus the haunted house element made this such a pleasure to read. I really loved this novel for feel-good, captivating engagement.

I received a complimentary copy of this title via NetGalley from the publisher. Opinions are entirely my own.

The Mistletoe Countess by pepper Basham is a wonderful story of a bride who leaves her own country to move to England to become a countess. Gracelynn Ferguson is visiting Whitlock estate with her father and sister. Lillias. Lillias is to meet the man she has been promised in marriage to. Lord Frederick Astley is willing to marry the unknown bride for her dowry which will save his home castle, Havenswood from ruin. When Lillias runs away with her former boyfriend will the plan be scrapped or will Mr. Furguson offer the dowry for Grace? Will Frederick be willing to marry the younger sister who at times can be more of a romantic and less ladylike than her sister or will he insist on bringing Lillias back to complete the agreement? Once he is back at Havenswood, with his bride, it becomes apparent that someone may be out to kill Frederick. Who might be wanting him dead and why?
I loved this story as I do everything I read by Pepper Basham. She keeps the story moving along at a quick pace and there are lots of twists and turns that keep the reader engaged with the characters. Her characters are well developed and I feel I know them and could sit down to tea with them. The least likeable characters have redeeming qualities that make them a bit likeable, even the suspects to some point. I give this book a hearty 5 of 5 stars. It will appeal to a wide audience of readers.
I received an advance copy if this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

This self-aware, bookish whodunit just thrilled my history and mystery loving heart! It’s hard to describe and do it justice, but simply put, the settings, characters, and plot just make for wonderful reading. I loved how it could’ve taken itself more seriously, but erred in the side of silly versus solemn. One of my favorite marriage of convenience stories this far!

**does contain more marital relationship talk than I usually read.

I received a free review copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What an unexpected delight. The Mistletoe Countess provides the perfect mixture of historical fiction, family drama, mystery and wide range of emotions. The story, while plenty of it to enjoy, is fast-paced and enjoyable. Unraveling the clues while delving deeper into the characters brings a few hours of gratifying entertainment. Whenever I see Pepper Basham's name on a book, it immediately goes to my Wish List.

I received a complimentary copy of the book without obligation. This review is my opinion.

The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham is a wonderfully delightful story. This book has everything a reader could love: a fast-paced and highly engaging plot, realistic and endearing characters, excellent literary allusions and mentions, tons of romantic chemistry, and intrigue and suspense. This story is also hilarious. There are so many moments I chuckled out loud. The Mistletoe Countess is a story the reader will not want to put down. I hated it when pesky chores and sleep got in the way of my reading, so you will definitely want to make sure you secure plenty of reading space in your schedule in order to enjoy and devour this lovely read.

"He tipped his head toward her, breathing in the life she brought into these dead rooms. ‘You think I’m strong enough for this?’
‘Of course I do, but not only I. God doesn’t go about placing people haphazardly into their stories. He must think you are strong enough too.’" --The Mistletoe Countess

One of my most favorite topics of discussion in this story is the idea that we are all placed in the exact right story. God doesn’t make mistakes. If He places us somewhere that’s where He wants us. It’s reminiscent of Esther 4:14 — we are all where God wants us “for such as time as this.” The thing is though sometimes it feels like maybe we’re not cut out for the place God put us. Maybe we feel too cowardly or too small or too insignificant or too unqualified. Yes, we can accept that God put us where we’re at because He is God and we respect Him, but sometimes it takes a minute or two to understand why He put us where we’re at. Grace is an American who comes from New Money. She is the second daughter, so expectations for her are less stringent at the moment than they are for her beautiful elder sister. Her sister, Lillias, is engaged to Lord Frederick Percy. She appears to be the ideal woman for British Society — she is poised, elegant, and refined. She knows the latest fashions, has impeccable taste, and knows what to say and when to say it. All things considered, Lillias is perfect for Frederick. But, as life would have it, a hiccup happens and Grace finds herself taking her sister’s place and becoming Lady Astley. Grace is an awesome character. Her heart is golden and she is all compassion and kindness. She always considers the feelings of others and loves to bring the best out of them. But, she’s not 100% certain at first that she is qualified to be part of the British aristocracy or a good wife for Frederick, and she does wonder what God is doing especially since this is putting a wrench into her life plans. Grace, however, fully trusts that God has her where she belongs, but it is going to take her a moment to figure out her place in her new world. What I love so much about Grace is that she never doubts God. Never. She is an excellent example of what it looks like to trust God in every facet of one’s life — especially in those moments that don’t go according to our plans. I admit that The Mistletoe Countess came into my life at just the right time. One, I needed this reminder that God doesn’t make mistakes when He places us where He does. And, two, I really needed an illustration of what it looks like to trust God no matter what. I love when a book comes into your hands just when you need it most!

There are like 7,458 more reasons to love The Mistletoe Countess — it’s that chock full of awesomeness. I highly, highly recommend this novel. If you are in the mood for an excellent Historical Romance filled with great characters, tons of fun chemistry, and lots of suspense then you’ve got to put The Mistletoe Countess on the top of your TBR list today!

I received a copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Barbour Fiction, via NetGalley in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Can Pepper Basham write a bad book? I.THINK.NOT. She can do no wrong in my eyes! I LOVED this book! I absolutely loved the main character and how free and just herself she was. That alone was a great reminder for me just to be who God made me to be and don't try to pretend or be anything else. Just be your true honest self. And let's not forget the sweet but tingly romance written in! Love!! I would give this 10 stars if I could!!

The Mistletoe Countess is an absolute gem! Pepper Basham has become one of my favorite authors, and The Mistletoe Countess is one of the reasons why. Pepper Basham is a gifted storyteller.

I loved everything about this book! This is the story of an arranged marriage that leads to an exquisite love story. I loved the characters, especially Grace! I loved her joy, her enthusiasm, her humor, her love of books, and her red hair, which I could picture so vividly. (She reminded me a great deal of Anne in Anne of Green Gables.) She often made me laugh, even in the midst of fighting off a villain.

I loved the setting of the book. It is so vividly described I felt I was actually there. The characters are so well presented, you feel as though you can see them. The dialogue is fresh and realistic. The villains are perfectly villainous, as they should be.

The Mistletoe Countess has all my favorite elements in one book - history, romance, mystery, and humor. And through it all is a beautiful thread of faith and hope and redemption.

This is one I will remember and will be recommending to others. It's one you shouldn't miss!

The Mistletoe Countess will be released September 1, 2021. You'll want to look for it at your local bookstore!

Many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for an advance copy of this book. The opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham! I knew I'd be getting a lovely romance when I picked this up to read, but I didn't realize there would be some wonderful mysteries to go along with it!

Bookworm Grace is just so much fun, always positive and at times silly. Frederick seems to be the perfect match for her. He's dashing and he's Earl of Astley. Problems (and accidents) abound as they realize someone is trying to kill Frederick. Grace is his perfect heroine. I enjoyed this so much that I wish I could read more about them!

I'll read anything by Pepper any chance I get!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read. All opinions are my own.

The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham is glorious. It’s one of the most entertaining books I’ve read in a very long time. A whimsical, character-driven story, it reminds us of how God never runs out of grace. At first it appears to be a marriage of convenience story, but turns into an epic adventure as the hero and heroine try to solve a dastardly crime and fall in love with each other in the process. I was engaged from the start and had a hard time putting it down. Grace, the heroine, is an avid reader and some of the most delightful moments in the book are when she’s drawing upon the experience of one of her favorite characters to handle a precarious situation. One scene near the end when she channels her inner Tarzan will have you laughing until you’re crying. Frederick, the hero, is roguishly handsome and swoon-worthy with a somewhat torrid past that he can’t quite forgive himself. And while he might have married Grace for her money, he is won over by her exuberance for life. She’s just what he needs to experience God’s grace. Frederick’s redemption is beautiful. It’s a Pepper Basham classic for sure and you don’t want to miss it.

A Christmas story with an unexpected twist.

Gracelynn is a young exuberant woman arriving with her family at an estate for her sister's wedding. As secrets are revealed there's a turn of events and she becomes the bride. Becoming the lady of an estate was never her plan, but with all the joy and energy within her, she pours herself into the role. Mystery lurks around her husband's estate and his family's past, which she intends to resolve, but earning his trust is harder than she had imagined.

Much of this sweet story surrounds the evolving relationship between Gracelynn and her new husband, Fredrick as they navigate life together. WIth these young main characters, it definitely has a young-adult feel to it, but I'd say the romance pieces would be too much for it to fit there.

I enjoyed this story and it's one you don't have to wait to read at Christmas!!

Seriouslyy !! This isn't just a book.. it takes you through such expression of heart fluttering , flowing and leaping with joy.

Oh , where do I start
Do you like books ?
Do you like Anne of green gables series?
Did you ever though classics have a hidden glint of beauty for them ?
Do you like Marriage of Convince?
Do you like A daring heroine who's absolutely quirky book nerd , beautiful in & out, who has a heart to forgive and love deeply , who doesn't really think she's wonderful but is absolutely ?
Do you like a dear Daddy's daughter and a caring sister who decides to sacrifice anything for her family?
Do you like seeing how we can depend on our Lord at all times and see His love and grace weaving our lives with ppl whome we are placed with?

Then MY Dear This " BOOK " is absolutely perfect for You... Wait more than perfect ... I couldn't relate more to Grace expect she's also innocent and innovative and exciting.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK even if your answer to a few questions is No.

What do you want me to tell about Lord Astley... Frederick is a person who is always looked over by his family, who sought love in ppl and could never find it, who being blamed for wrongs he didn't do , who still has a gapping hole guilty is trying to dig in him... Yet not overseen by God .. God writes his story in a very unexpected moves yet perfect for Him to see the Truth
The way he comes to Love Grace is absolutely wonderful 😁💗

And ohh !! Have I mentioned a dashing & stunning first kiss 😉.. yep. Great kisses

Dive into this beautifully written story by Pepper bashem
This is my first read from her.. definitely definitely not the last .. I assure you that.

*Thank you Netgally for giving me a ARC in exchange for honest review
All thoughs are true to every word

Loved this book! Such a sweet and witty story! Frederick and Grace are perfect for each other and can't wait to see if we get a sequel or even a series from this one book. Until then, I'll need to do some rereading of this scrumptious Christmas story.

What a fun Christmas read!

Pepper Basham takes a fresh look at the marriage of convenience story, matching a young fiction-loving 19 year old with a 30-something reluctant earl for a laugh out loud Christmas read.

There’s something about the whole package that made this book such an enjoyable read – the cast of characters, the vivid descriptions of the setting, fiction references, family secrets, and strong faith threads for our hero and heroine.

Gracelynn is a fun character, though a bit naïve and silly at times. She is bubbly and passionate – especially about fiction. And it is this love, along with her overactive imagination that helps her get into and out of interesting predicaments.

Frederick is a noble hero, taking up the position in his family’s legacy he never wanted. He has a tarnished past, but overcomes – with Grace’s help – the follies of his youth. He works hard to prove himself capable and honorable, in spite of the Percy curse that has plagued his family for years.

Though this is set at Christmas time, it’s very light on the theme.

I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

THIS BOOK! I laughed out loud, teared up, and stayed up way, way too late reading each night. Just when I think I’ve found my favorite Pepper Basham book, she does it again! This will definitely be a novel I reread. The faith elements spoke right to my heart, and I have no doubt God used this book to encourage me. The sheer hilarity of the heroine brought me so much joy, and the hero’s story arc was fabulous too. The chemistry between these two? Spectacular! While I was reading, I kept thinking how amazing this would be as a fun TV mystery series. Grab this book, friends! It’s a must-read!

"The Mistletoe Countess" is a Christian romance set in 1913 in America and England. While likely a standalone, I'd love to read more adventures of Grace and Frederick. The characters were so enjoyable. Grace is full of life, enthusiasm, determination, and a lively imagination. She realizes that she has a lively imagination but still gets a thrill when her life resembles a novel that she's read. She's also determined to be a great heroine in her own life story. Frederick's a kind but deeply hurting man who is never allowed to forget his poor choices in the past. Grace builds up Frederick so that he has the courage to be a good hero rather than burdened down by his past and responsibilities. Grace and Frederick are a good match, bringing out the best in each other.

Someone's trying to kill Frederick and the deaths of his brother and father might not be from natural causes, but he's reluctant to examine just who would want him dead. Yet Grace is very enthusiastic about applying what she's learned from Sherlock Holmes and other mystery novels to solving this mystery--especially as it will prevent her from becoming a widow (or dead). She's clever and inventive, and she even saves the day.

Grace found comfort in the knowledge that God was with her and in control, even in a foreign land. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this thoroughly enjoyable and humorous historical romance.

Gracelyn and Frederick are the perfect characters. This story was full of grace, depth, and ultimately family redemption. Who doesn’t love a story about royalty and second chances? And Pepper Basham does a beautiful job weaving a romance with a touch of intrigue. Well done.

Lord Astley needs some Grace in his life! This novel by Pepper Basham is full of hilarious moments, sweet passion, and a little edge of mystery/danger. Well-developed characters sprang from the pages and the riveting plot and love story made this impossible to put down. The growing relationship was handled with the delicacy of the period & genre, while still reflecting the chemistry of the hero and heroine. Clean without being prudish or boring. The kisses were perfect in Basham's usual style. The story was nestled in a perfectly grand setting, with dynamic characters like the elder Lady Astley and household staff. Best book I've read all year.

The Mistletoe Countess
by Pepper Basham
Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Rated: 3
Back of the Book: “Will the magic of Christmas bring these two newlyweds closer together, or will the ghosts of the past lead them into a destructive discovery from which not even a Dickens’s Christmas can save them?
Mistletoe is beautiful and dangerous, much like the woman from Lord Frederick’s Percy’s past, so when he turns over a new leaf and arranges to marry for his estate, instead of his heart, he never expects the wrong bride to be the right choice. Gracelynn Ferguson never expected to take her elder sister’s place as a Christmas bride, but when she’s thrust into the choice, she will trust in her faithful novels and overactive imagination to help her not only win Frederick’s heart but also to solve the murder mystery of Havensbrook Hall before the ghosts from Frederick’s past ruin her fairytale future.”
My Thoughts: I wanted to like this book but I just didn’t. The story felt like it took forever to unfold because it was verbose and the sweet love talk was ad nauseam. I didn’t care for the characters of the book as their conversations were cheesy and far too forward. There was this obsession with Grace’s red hair that was silly and overdone throughout the book. It was also strange to have one paragraph reading, “You are a fantastic teacher at lovemaking,” followed by a deep spiritual discussion. It just didn’t work for me. In the end, it felt like I had read two books as the first part was a romance novel, and then, boom! Halfway through it turned into a full-blown mystery, suspense novel. It wasn’t inconsistent per se but all the lovemaking talk was so strong and became such a contrast with the rest of the book. Again, I wanted to like this story but when it was done, I was relieved to have finished it.
Inspirational Thoughts: “’ Oh, I devour books.” She tugged the novel against her chest. “It’s a disastrous habit for being productive, I’m afraid.’” -Truth in that!
“’ As an enthusiastic reader, Lord Astley, I’m never really alone.’”
I received an ARC copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion shared here.

Pepper Basham’s story of a fiction-loving heroine was a wonderfully fun and exciting read. The combination of mystery, murder, mayhem and romance made this a hard book to put down. I eagerly read this book and didn’t want the book to end.

Gracelynn Ferguson joyously embraces life and is the consternation of her proper socialite mother. She envisions herself leading an adventurous life, solving crimes like her fictional hero, Sherlock Holmes. Marrying a man is not in her near future, unless she can find someone who is her equal. Her outspoken and enthusiastic nature is contagious and her drivenness to find answers made me feel like I was right alongside her. The funny and daring exploits she finds herself in had me whooping with laughter as she tries to foil a villainous plan.

Lord Frederick Percy had reluctantly resigned himself to his mother’s expectations and settling down with a demure lady while running his family’s estate. What a fortuitous and unexpected turn of events for Frederick when he finds himself married to Gracelynn instead of her well-groomed, quiet sister. He was much more suited for Grace and she for him as they brought out the very best in each other.

I am really hoping this is just the beginning of a new series of books with Gracelynn and Frederick as they are an unstoppable dynamic duo in thwarting evil schemes. I highly recommend this book for lovers of romantic adventure, humor, as well as mysteries.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are expressed are my own.

This was a solid book. I enjoyed it. The characters were great and I thought the plot was excellent. I do enjoy a good dollar Princess story. This one was lovely.

This was fun and I will recommend it.