The Mistletoe Motive: A holiday retelling of "Pride and Prejudice"

 

Book: The Mistletoe Motive

Author: Chloe Liese

Published: 1 Dec 2021

Page number: 185

Genre: Holiday Romcom

My Rating: 5 stars

 

“The Mistletoe Motive” is a holiday novella set in New York City during Christmas time. Co-managers, Gabby and Jonathan, work at Bailey’s Bookshop, an indie bookstore owned by an elderly couple. But the holiday season brings new challenges: Potter’s Pages. “The Dreaded Chain Bookstore” opened on the same street as Bailey’s two years ago and ever since the bookstore’s profits have taken a hit. It is up to Gabby and Jonathan to work together to make enough profit in order to stay in business after the new year. But Jonathan is a modern-day Scrooge and Gabby adores Christmas. Do opposites truly attract? Or will their feud lead to the bookshop’s ultimate demise.

 

Both Jonathan and Gabby are the ultimate book lovers. Gabby adores romance novels and there are multiple “Pride and Prejudice” references throughout the book. Some references are made by the characters themselves, and others are subtle recreations of actual scenes in “Pride and Prejudice”.

 “…and just when I was telling myself that no, this is not some Darcy-hoists-Elizabeth-into-her-carriage-and-the-world-tips-on-its-axis moment, his thumb brushes the back of my hand.”

 

This book is perfect for any book lovers (just like our two lovable main characters) and perfect for the holiday season. Gabby is witty and adorable, and Jonathan might be a grump, but a very sweet and caring one at that. The writing is personal and whimsically done. The book perfectly transports you into a winter wonderland filled with books and stories. There is no third-act break-up, instead the characters choose to trust each other before making assumptions. One of the many things I adore about this book is how “real” Gabby and Jonathan are with each other. Even though it is a novella, the story doesn’t feel rushed at all, while still being fast-paced and absolutely captivating.

(possible spoiler) The book also has autism and diabetes representation with our two main characters. (end of possible spoiler)

There are some spicy scenes in later chapters, but they are easily skippable if you don’t want to read them.

 

Lastly, I’ll leave you with one of my favourite quotes from the book: “…there are countless kinds of love, and love enough for everyone. That love is an infinite resource whose expressions are just as innumerable.”