Christmas at Mistletoe Cove: A heartwarming, feel good Christmas romance to fall in love with (Hope Island Book 3)

I really wanted to fall in love with Eden!! But she was so annoying!! The story was beautiful and quick yet the main character just don’t do it for me!

This is the final book in the Hope Island series and it did not disappoint! It's the story of Eden and Dougie and their romance that started in some form twelve years before. For the past two books, Eden had struck me as sort of a maternal type character, like Meg in Little Women; a sister for sure but one that looked after her younger siblings a bit like a mother hen. But when she takes the stage in this novel, she is insecure, a bit battered by a life of unrequited love and has lost her girlish dreams of magic and fairies and unicorns. And then there's Dougie, the love of her life and best friend. Dougie has also been in the two books prior and he's a big ol' flirt and doesn't take life too seriously. He had been teasing out moving back to Hope Island after building a huge company in New York, which just seemed to be part of his teasing and flirty nature. But in this book, he actually does it.Dougie sets out to woo Eden in ways that fill all her dreams but his reputation for never taking anything seriously and being a persistent jokester keeps Eden on her guard for him to let her know she's the punchline to a huge prank. I won't say anymore about the plot - you need to read it for yourself, and you will definitely enjoy it if you do! It had several laugh aloud moments, thanks to the humor that plays between Dougie and Eden. They love to laugh together, including during moments a lot of us would take very seriously. That laughter between lovers is a beautiful thing to read and Holly does a great job of writing the kind of laughs a couple who are best friends since childhood might have with each other - that easy familiarity, the love of the same kind of humor, and the security in knowing the person they are with. I found it to be a very refreshing take on how a romance grows between two people and I will admit that I would hope when I find my forever someone that I would have that kind of love and laughter in my relationship.The book also covers some of Rome and Freya's story, which is heartwarming, and also focuses a bit on Bell and Isaac's continued journey together with some dramatic turns that bolster the family of friends that Eden and Dougie are a part of. It never felt that touching base with her siblings' relationships took away from telling their story. The novel is not long at all, you could do it in a day without interruptions. I wouldn't say it's a gripping page turner but it strongly held my interest throughout and though it was a shorter novel, I didn't feel that it would have been better if it were longer. I found the story to be told thoroughly and with great satisfaction and the happiest of endings for everyone. That's what I come to expect from a Holly Martin novel and that's exactly what this book delivers.I've read it here in the summer (Christmas in July!) but I am putting it with Holly's other Christmas books to cosy up to this winter and re-read again. I think this book is enjoyable all year round but I can see reading it by the fire with some hot chocolate would be a wonderful way to enjoy this story again. I'm looking forward to it!

I love everything about the book except her overthinking but they ended up getting engaged the magical thing was so cute to

This review was first published at M's BookshelfI'm desperately running out of new ways to describe the magic of a Holly Martin novel.Her previous books already showed there's no better way than a Christmas + Holly Martin combination, but oh boy did this book surpass all my expectations and more! Nothing compares to the romance of the Christmas season and with Holly's gorgeous stories this only gets magnified... times a thousand.I'm not sure how many more ways you can conjure up the perfect (book)boyfriend, but again, I've completely fallen in love with the hero in this story. Those men on Hope Island... Pfew!Dougie Harrison is romantic, sweet, sexy, loving, caring,... and although his career and professional ambitions take a back seat to his and Eden's love story in this book, he's also creative and driven which makes him pretty much perfect. I don't blame Eden for fearing he's too good to be true. Although with Eden's humor, her passion for her job and the same qualities of being a caring, loving person, it's not hard to see why Dougie would be head over heals for her too.As far as romance book series go, the Hope Island series is probably the best I've read. The sequence of seasons in the titles, the unique family that gave the opportunity for three separate love stories without feeling forced, the way that all three of them got their moment to shine, but without completely ignoring the others in the meantime,... The build-up for book two and three started in book one, and the relationships of the first two books also got their shining moment in the third one. Perfectly balanced. Not only are you completely immersed in the love story you're reading, you truly feel like you know and understand the characters better, thanks to knowing so much about their environment, but also about the most important people in their lives. This gives a whole extra debt to these stories.I could go on, but let's summarize: Holly Martin is a genius. Her stories and book heroes will make you swoon. And Christmas at Mistletoe Cove is just another perfect example of her skills as an author and storyteller. I'm in love!

FINALLY! I've been waiting for Eden and Dougie's story since book one of the Hope Island series, and I have to say, their story was worth the wait! Eden has been in love with Dougie for years and years, and even his time in America hasn't caused the love in her heart to fade. But she feels it's hopeless-they are the best of friends, he practically views her as a sister, could he ever see her as anything but that? Dougie has been in love with Eden too, but has been afraid to act on it until he permanently comes back to Hope Island in time for Christmas-not only to make a home, but also with plans to win Eden's heart. With some magic and the backdrop of Christmas, Dougie and Eden take a chance on love. Will they be able to have the happily ever after they have both dreamed of?What I love about Ms. Martin's books is the way she crafts characters that leap off the pages and into your heart. She will make you laugh so hard you cry, fall in love as the characters do, and become emotionally invested in the outcome of their journey. Nobody does Christmas like Ms. Martin either, and you feel as if you are right there watching the fairy lights and hoping for a magical snowfall as much as Eden does. Absolute reading joy.

This is an amazing finish but why oh why does it really have to end. Like all 3 especially 1st and this one, it really drew me in and touches my heart completely.I was feeling upset towards the end, as was thinking ‘No, No, No’ now overall happy with the ending, I would of liked to see both of these books run a little bit further especially seeing more of a finalised ending on all 3 couples as feels slightly incomplete and leaves me with so many what if moments.This one is Eden and Dougie’s turn, they were childhood sweethearts and after their first teenage kiss, Eden then lost her sidekick due to his family emigrating next day to America, not contacting her before.Throughout their childhood it was like they were both two peas in a pod, to Eden her friendship to Dougie is so much more and from the key moment she fell totally in love with him and has been the last 12 years. Throughout this period of time, they have been having regular contact by email/social media and also comes back at regular times staying with only Eden. It does not help they are close and always hug each other.Dougie decides to return to UK, early on he uses the magical powers of a local secret attraction to help explain his feelings, you make 3 wishes to a sealed envelope and there are high probabilities these will come true.Can anything go wrong ?Definitely highlights communication/honesty being key in our relationships, the need for focusing on here and now, rather than what may never happen as we can lose so much valuable time .Really like how the characters from all 3 books are pulled together as a collaborative view- including Romeo, Freya, Issac and Bella, Weddings occur which/ not related to this couple, Comedy and plenty of romantic moments, lots of progress on the other couples relationship while maintaining focus on a specific duo.Book out plenty of time, you won’t want to put it down.

It’s hard to know where to start with this review as this must be one of the most childish and irritating books I have read in quite some times. The characters have nothing to recommend them, and they seem to do an awful lot of smirking at one another. I was hoping for descriptive scenery, cute characters, lots of Christmassy stuff, but honestly I gave up reading at the point where Dougie (the ripped, perfect and totally cliched hero) put £1,000,000 into the heroine’s (who’s name I have totally forgotten since she is such a weak and silly character) bank account. Really????Highly recommend you don’t bother reading this childish nonsense. It is really rare that I can’t finish a book, but honestly this one defeated me.

Really christmas and beautiful book.Eden and Dougie love each other as best friends but things change and each other starts to feel different. Dougie makes her magic wishes come true and Eden is hit with being hurt by Dougie in case his love isn't real. However It's an excellent book. Holly Martin book are sweet happy and lovelybreads and she's a new author in my reading but after 2 of her books, I'll be reading all her others now.If you need uplifting or needing something to get you in the Xmas mood, this is for you. Amazing

Childishly stupid main character. Silly mention of another bookouture author. The usual unbelievably handsome, talented men and the usual unbelievably pretty women.Romance by numbers.

I have read one other book by Holly Martin, summer at rose island, & really enjoyed it but I'm afraid that this one is not so good.I found Eden very irritating and the story about her loving Dougie for 12years without telling him a little hard to believe.Having got half way through I have now given up because I really don't care what happens to either of them. Sorry would not recommend this book.