This title didn’t captivate me like the previous two in the series did. It was too predictable and the characters seemed either over-the-top or flat, not realistic. But I will be reading the next installment in the series!

This was the perfect novella to get me in the Christmas spirit. I cannot wait to recommend to all our customers who loved The Maid. Molly is back again with her sweet quirks in this lovely cozy Christmas story. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read it. Such a great story!

This was a cute novella starring Molly the Maid and her usual suspects. It was an easy and quick enough read, but I don't think it is super required reading for anyone. Also, can someone please fire Cheryl? My god, she is just worst maid in the entire universe.

Loved this book and I have yet to read the other two in this series but I didn't feel I needed to in order to read this christmas mystery. I liked this book a lot.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Maid and the Mystery Guest when I listened to them on audio. I read this novella on my Kindle and could hear Molly’s voice throughout. What a sweet mystery story to read as the holidays are approaching!

Although this book was a novella, I expected more. It was slow to build and extremely predictable. I went into this blind (and maybe I’m at fault…), and I expected a small little mystery. It was not like her previous works, very much a quick romancy “mistletoe mystery” for sure.

Molly the Maid is a character I’ve come to love over the previous two books in this series — her integrity, her devotion and the unexpected humor that comes about through the unique way she experiences the world are all endearing qualities.

I was expecting more of a mystery in this one, not just because ‘Mystery’ is in the title, but also due to the precedent set by the first two books. But this didn’t feel like a mystery to me, at least for the reader of the book. It is a departure from the series in that it’s more of a cozy little romance set during the Holidays. There are a lot of cute, heart-warming moments between Molly and Juan Manuel that made this novella enjoyable, I think it’s a nice read if you’ve read the previous two books and are invested in the characters. But if reading a romance where the primary plot rests on a miscommunication between the two main characters frustrates you, this is probably not the read for you.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book was simple and sweet. It was easy to see where it was heading almost immediately but sometimes that is what you need. If you are looking for a light holiday read, this one is perfect for the season.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an ARC of this book.

Short, sweet and adorable.
Molly and Juan are as cute as ever. The mystery is not a mystery to the reader, but it was a joy to take the quick trip with Molly as she figured it out.

I love Molly the Maid. She is such a fantastic character and this little inbetween book gave us a fun inside into her relationship with Juan. It showed her insecurities and how she navigated them and I loved seeing this vulnerable side of her. It did take me a minute to get into this novella, but overall, it was cute and fun to read. Looking forward to reading more of Molly’s life in the future.

This was so sweet and cozy! I enjoy the cast of characters in this series so much. While I knew everything was going to work out fine for Molly, I did share in her anxieties. It was great to have Juan in the story more, since he was scarcely there for the second book. I also enjoyed the subtle nods to The Monkey's Claw throughout the book. A very heartwarming book for the holiday season.

Thank you to Netgalley and Randomhouse Publishing Group - Ballantine for the eARC copy in exchange for a review.

This was a novella companion to the Molly the Maid series and it is not a murder mystery, but instead a Christmas story that involves Molly's long-term relationship with Juan Manuel. She's suddenly questioning his faithfulness to her, especially since she has low self-esteem to begin with because of how people have always treated her. While this "mystery" was kind of predictable, it was still a cute story and a fun way to get into the holiday spirit. I enjoyed Molly's flashbacks about her grandmother, which brought her back to life in some ways. It was also fun to revisit with the hotel staff, except for Cheryl, of course (because she's just awful).

Overall, a delightful Christmas story! I hope there will be more full-length mysteries involving Molly and the hotel as I would read those right away.

Movie casting suggestions (mostly from my previous reviews):
Molly: A newcomer, as I don't feel right casting someone famous for this role.
Juan Manuel: Daniel Zovatto
Mr. Preston: Richard Jenkins
Gran (in flashbacks): Kim Darby
Angela: Monica Barbaro
Lily: Ella Beatty
Cheryl: Amanda Fuller
Mr. Snow: Steve Martin (Just because it would be fun to have someone from Only Murders.)

A cute novella for the Molly the Maid series! I really enjoy the quirkiness of Molly and Juan. This was a great little book to get you into the Christmas spirit!

Great holiday story with a little Romance. Reminded me of Amelia Bedelia as I was reading this story.

3.5 stars rounded up. This was a cute festive story featuring Molly the Maid and friends. It was short, sweet, and simple. There isn't really much of a mystery in this one, but it's a fun, fast read if you already know and like the characters.

J read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

In The Mistletoe Mystery, Molly and her friends are gearing up for the holiday season at the hotel. Once again, the hotel employees will be participating in a Secret Santa gift exchange, but Molly has a special gift coming her way.

This novella is a cute, cozy read to help get in the holiday spirit. I really enjoy reading about a neurodivergent FMC and how she perceives the actions, emotions, and motives of others. If you’re looking for an innocent, closed-door read during the holiday season, I recommend this novella!

This was a cute holiday story but I was hoping for a bit more! The relationship with Molly and Juan Manuel felt over done. I would definitely read another book in this series but this short story wasn’t for me!

Doubt, diversion, and darling.

The devoted memories of Molly’s Gran, just make this book sparkle in a special way at Christmas time. This short story was less of a mystery, but more of a cozy book about memories, the Christmas season, and appreciating/trusting the ones who mean the most in your life (with true Molly fashion, who we all love).

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine and NetGalley for giving me this opportunity to read this novella.

I want to preface this review by saying that I adore the other two books in this series. Molly is such a lovable character, and solving mysteries alongside her has been a delight. Of course I wanted to read a Christmas novella about her!

This book is undeniably charming - so sweet it’ll make your teeth hurt. Ultimately, it wasn’t for me. The “mystery” here is more of a lighthearted romantic comedy mishap that tugs at the heartstrings but offers little in the way of intrigue. I had hoped for a festive hotel mystery for Molly to unravel, something with a bit more substance even if not as complex as the full-length novels. I was looking for for a bit more substance and less fluff.

If you enjoy light romantic stories with touches of humor, especially those set at Christmastime, you’ll devour this novella. But if, like me, you prefer less romance and more corpses in your mysteries, you might want to skip this one and save those two hours for something darker.

The Mistletoe Mystery is a delightful and cozy holiday read that captures the festive spirit with a touch of intrigue. Molly Gray, a lover of Christmas traditions, is determined to make this holiday season joyful despite the absence of her beloved Gran. With her boyfriend, Juan Manuel, by her side, Molly is ready to embrace the magic of the season—until a Secret Santa gift exchange at the Regency Grand Hotel raises unsettling questions about who she can trust.

The mystery is lighthearted yet engaging, with Molly diving into her most personal investigation yet. As the holiday cheer is tinged with suspicion, readers will enjoy the twists and turns, while also rooting for Molly to uncover the truth. If you’ve enjoyed Molly’s previous adventures, The Mistletoe Mystery is a charming addition to her cozy mysteries. The holiday setting, fun gift exchange, and Molly’s endearing character make this a perfect read for those looking for a heartwarming mystery with a seasonal touch.