The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham

Pepper Basham crafts another exhilarating romance with The Mistletoe Countess.

Book Blurb

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 Review

This book was fantastic. I was a little unsure how I felt at the beginning knowing Frederick was planning on marrying Grace’s sister, but I think Basham did a great job setting up why Frederick and Grace are good together. Then when the wedding plans changed, it made perfect sense why Frederick would agree to it.

This is one of those romances where I couldn’t stop smiling. For one, I identified with Grace and her very active imagination. But I also loved watching the relationship between them bloom. Grace’s unabashed worship and authenticity served as a gentle prod regarding my own walk with God. Isn’t that we all should do? I could definitely see why Frederick loved her.

And goodness, I could see she loved him. Though Frederick is flawed and has a past he regrets, he works hard to be a better man, especially for Grace. It warmed my heart every time he defended her. Crazy as it sounds, I also enjoyed seeing them argue. There were just as many sparks in those scenes as in the kissing ones!

Lest I forget, let me also mention the bit of mystery intertwined with the romance. It kept me on the edge of my seat. While a bit more subtle than, say, a suspense novel, the mystery still played a big part in the story. And I loved every minute of it. There were definitely some twists I wasn’t expecting, as well as some moments where I patted myself on the back.

Overall, The Mistletoe Countess is a beautifully written Christmas romance paired with just enough mystery to keep you enthralled from the first page.

(Note: I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley. I was not required to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.)

Further Information

For more Pepper Basham, check out her website and sign up for her newsletter. You can also follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

For your own copy of The Mistletoe Countess, click on the book cover to order from your favorite retailer.