Happy pub day!! @nitaprose

This novella was darling! I love Molly and her cute quarks and Juan Manuel!

We are back at the hotel during Christmas time (which makes me think of the Elf movie hotel)! 🏨🎄

This is the perfect novella to start your holiday season off making spirits bright ⭐️ so grab a hot cocoa and your kindles 📖☕️ because you will be jingling all the way with this one! I do not want to be a Grinch and spoil it, so I suggest you pick up a copy!

I usually save my holiday themed reads for that season, but this cute Christmas read made me warm and cozy on these hot California days. I loved the story line and had a connection with Molly, as my own grandma made me an advent calendar for Christmas many years ago that my family and I still use. I could feel the sparkle of Christmas in this book.

Reviews:
⭐️3.3/5
📖: mystery

Thank you @nitaprose and @netgalley

This was a cute novella that sees Molly and Juan finally get engaged. Molly misses all the cues and jumps to different conclusions but all is made right at the end. A very appropriate marriage proposal and a nice treat!

The Mistletoe Mystery is a novella by Nita Prose featuring her beloved character Molly the Maid. In this story, Molly is dealing with the busy holiday season at the hotel where she is head maid. Her boyfriend, Juan Manuel, is displaying some concerning behavior that has Molly very confused about the status of their relationship. This all leads up to quite the holiday staff party. It's always a pleasure to return to the world of Molly and her support team. Read and enjoy!

Molly the Maid is working extra hard at the Regency Grand this holiday season, making sure the rooms are returned to a state of perfection for the guests. Her boyfriend Juan Manuel has also been putting in extra hours as the pastry chef at the hotel, but recently it seems like he’s been sneaking around. Is he just trying to make this Advent extra special for Molly, or is there something else going on?

This short and sweet novella got me in the holiday spirit, and for fans of the Molly the Maid universe, you won’t want to miss this chapter in her life. 💗

Thank you to @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse for the free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A small and quick little holiday interlude with my favorite "Maid" Molly who's so different - it's quirky and charming just like the two novels before it - it was so nice to read this in the HOT summertime :) Loved the interactions between Molly & Juan, very sweet & truly about what Christmas really means! Truly enjoyed this novella and many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for my advanced readers copy, my sincere pleasure to read it!! Can't wait till the next installment :)

I absolutely loved The Mistletoe Mystery, the latest novella in the Maid series by Nita Prose, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to reconnect with Molly Gray, who has become a standout literary character for me. This delightful installment reintroduces us to Molly as she embarks on a new and more personal mystery, and the experience is nothing short of enchanting.

Nita Prose’s writing shines brightly in this novella, perfectly capturing the cozy, intimate atmosphere of the holiday season. The setting immerses readers in a charming world where mystery and warmth intertwine. Prose’s ability to create a festive yet suspenseful environment aligns beautifully with the series’ tone, making it an ideal read for this time of year.

In this installment, we see Molly delving deeper into her relationship with her Gran, adding a heartwarming touch that enriches the narrative. This exploration of familial bonds adds depth to the story, showcasing Molly’s growth and the emotional complexities that come with her character. As readers, we are not only solving a mystery with Molly but also experiencing her personal journey, which makes the story resonate on multiple levels.

While the plot may feel somewhat predictable early on, I feel that this is a deliberate choice and doesn’t detract from the reading experience. Following Molly as she unravels the mystery remains engaging and enjoyable. Her unique perspective and occasional misreadings of clues kept me smiling throughout, as her earnestness and determination shine through every page. It’s a testament to Prose’s skill in crafting a protagonist who is both relatable and endearing.

I also appreciated how The Mistletoe Mystery weaves in references to previous novels without overwhelming readers with excessive repetition. This thoughtful integration allows newcomers to the series to easily follow along with Molly’s journey while still rewarding long-time fans with familiar touches that enhance the experience. Prose has a remarkable ability to create a welcoming environment for all readers, inviting them to be part of Molly’s world.

The story also brings about significant changes in Molly’s life, setting the stage for exciting future developments. As I turned the final pages, I found myself eager to see where Molly's journey would take her next. Prose has a gift for leaving readers wanting more, and I sincerely hope that we can anticipate Molly’s return in the near future.

The Maid has been on my TBR for some time now, so when I learned that Molly the maid and other characters from Nita Prose’s #1 New York Times bestseller were featured in a holiday-themed novella, I had to read it.

While The Mistletoe Mystery was a sweet story, ala O. Henry, I was disappointed that there was no real mystery. I liked the characters and kept waiting for something exciting to happen. It didn’t.

I recommend The Mistletoe Mystery for fans of holiday romance or Nita Prose, who might just be happy to see some of their favorite characters in a holiday setting without needing the novella to be a true mystery.

I received this advanced reader copy from Ballantine Books, courtesy of NetGalley.

A fun addition to Molly's stories, this Christmas novella sees our favorite maid drawing incorrect conclusions leading up to the hotel's staff Christmas party. The solution to this "mystery" is deliberately obvious to the reader but the fun is seeing how Molly deals both with her doubt and then the true situation once it is revealed. Her found family is there and as is always the case her Gran's wisdom helps her through.

October usually signals the beginning of the spooky season for me, but I've been momentarily sidetracked by thoughts of future holidays. After reading her first two mysteries, I’ve become quite taken with Nita Prose’s quirky, neurodivergent character, Molly the Maid. So, when I discovered that Prose would be releasing a Christmas-themed novella featuring Molly, it immediately landed on my TBR list. Even better, I was fortunate to receive a copy from her publisher. And so, despite this being a month typically dedicated to horror reads—and with South Texas still experiencing scorching summer-like temperatures—I find myself enjoying The Mistletoe Mystery. This cozy Yuletide novella serves as the perfect prelude to the holiday season.

The opulent Regency Grand Hotel is decked out in holiday splendor, warmly welcoming guests into the festive season. For Molly, the hotel's head maid, the holidays have always been about upholding cherished traditions. Ever since her Gran passed away, Christmas hasn’t quite been the same. Gran always ensured Molly's holiday was filled with joy and warmth, and adjusting to life without her has been difficult. But Molly has her boyfriend, Juan Manuel, by her side this year. He’s helping her honor those old traditions and introducing new ones, making this Christmas a special blend of the familiar and the new for them both.

Juan Manuel certainly seems like Molly’s prince charming, but she can't shake her nagging doubts. Is this relationship truly as perfect as it seems? He’s always attentive, going out of his way to make her life easier—cooking meals, walking her to work, and even gifting her an Advent calendar filled with thoughtful surprises. Yet, there are little things that don’t quite add up. Lately, Juan Manuel appears more drained than ever, with dark circles under his eyes and an unusual tendency to sleep in. Then there's the matter of his lengthy trips to do laundry, even though the dirty clothes remain untouched in the hamper. Something feels off, but surely there must be a reasonable explanation. Without her Gran’s wisdom to lean on, Molly must face her most personal and consequential mystery yet.

In The Mistletoe Mystery, Nita Prose blends cozy mystery elements with festive holiday charm. Molly remains as endearing as ever, with her quirks leading her into a situation that's a joy to watch her unravel. While the plot's direction was evident early on, that's never been the core appeal of this series. The true delight is in observing Molly puzzle through things, even when they seem glaringly obvious to others. The novella beautifully captures the spirit of the season, emphasizing the importance of the people we surround ourselves with. Molly may not be everyone's cup of tea, but she's created a found family that loves and cherishes her just as she is. Although occasionally sentimental, it’s a fitting touch for a holiday story as heartwarming as this one. With themes of community, kindness, and the traditions that bring us together, The Mistletoe Mystery is a delightful read that should keep fans content until Molly’s next adventure releases in the spring.

I’ve loved The Maid books and the main character Molly with her found family from the Regency Grand hotel. This was a short, light hearted novella that fans of Molly will enjoy. I did find this very predictable but I thought it was cute and got me excited for the upcoming holidays! You would not enjoy this without having read The Maid books

Definitely a way more lighthearted mystery compared to the other books in this series, but a cute twist on a Christmas mystery. In that sense, it is obviously pretty easy to find out the ending, and it's a pretty cliche storyline that I've seen done multiple times. It did drive me insane a couple of times if I'm being honest.

Molly, Molly, Molly. This holiday novella is the perfect little amuse bouche. Our favorite maid finally gets everything she deserves. I couldn't be happier reading about her latest Christmas adventure.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

After reading The Maid and The Mystery Guest I was intrigued by the idea of a holiday novella with these characters and really looked forward to jumping into another adventure at the Regency Grand.

Thankfully this was a short read because it just wasn’t for me. It wasn’t a mystery in the same sense as the novels, and was fairly predictable.
It was a wholesome filler in between the second and third books and great to get into the holiday spirit but I don’t feel like I would have been missing much if I hadn’t read it.

Thank you NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Nita Prose for the eARC.
Publication date 10/1/24

I absolutely live the Maid series, and this one certainly didn't disappoint. I live the character Molly and how her mind works. This one was short, but sweet!

Molly, Juan Manuel and the rest of the crew are back in an entertaining and heartwarming Christmas story. I always enjoy reading about Molly and what she's up to next. I love the Gran sayings that help to guide Molly through life and how Molly finds joy in the little things. Although this story was predictable, it was great nonetheless. The Mistletoe Mystery is a quick, delightful, feel good read. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the digital ARC.

Thank you to Random House for the finished copy and to PRH Audio for the ALC to review.

One of my most favorite characters, Molly the Maid is back in a holiday novella, with a different kind of mystery to solve, it is more of a romance if I’m being honest, but I did not mind at all. I devoured this one over the weekend, both read along and listened via audio, and I was honestly sad it was a novella because I just love spending time with Molly.

If you are a fan of the Molly the Maid series, you definitely need this one, and if you like feel good, quirky reads then you most certainly need this one. However I will say to fully appreciate this one you probably need to have read The Maid at least.

As noted, pub day is 10/1, and you need to have it on your list!

This time Molly gets the good gift. Compared to the year before when people made fun of her through Secret Santa gifts, this year she was the one to laugh the last.

Heart warming novella starring our "let me take everything literal" queen and her pastry chef. I loved the upcycle/recycle/waste not themes and how it turned into something borrowed instead. *wink wink*

Now I'm waiting for the next adventure Molly is going to go on

I have seen a lot of reviews calling this book, unnecessary and while I sort of agree, I also really enjoyed it! Yes, the ending was predictable, but it was still a fun palette cleanser that brought us back to Molly's world. I was also really happy to see something good happening in Molly's life. It felt like we got a chance to interact with Molly outside of murder, and i liked that! Definitely a quick, short, cute read.

This was a cute book! Molly the maid starts to suspect her boyfriend is up to no good when she notices some sneaky things he has been doing. It is Christmas time and almost the day for the Secret Santa gift exchange at the hotel. She has been made fun of in the past at one of these events and she is nervous for this year. The writing is amazing and engaging. Still love Molly, and her boyfriend is just the sweetest to her. What a cute relationship! I enjoyed the cozy mystery elements to it.

Quick and easy read as a little teaser between Molly Maid books! 3.5/5 stars, rounded up to 4.

Was this story necessary? No. But it was a cute little Christmas romance that I was able to finish in one day. It was a nice little change of pace from the typical Nita Prose/Molly Maid mysteries. If you’ve read and enjoyed the other Molly Maid books, you will enjoy this one.