Review: Kissing Under The Mistletoe (The Sullivans #10) by Bella Andre

Kissing Under The Mistletoe (The Sullivans #10) by Bella Andre

Published September 24th 2013 by Harlequin MIRA (first published 2013)

Hardcover, 384 pages

Series: The Sullivans

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Heat Rating: Steamy-ish

Source: From the publisher through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review!
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Summary from Goodreads

For Mary Sullivan Christmas is, and always has been, about family. And this year is no different. As she awaits the arrival of her eight children and their partners at the cottage in Lake Tahoe, she hangs the ornaments that they made for her over the years. Each decoration brings with it a tide of memories, all of which she holds dear to her heart. But when she comes across the oldest ornament, the one her beloved husband, Jack, gave her on their very first Christmas together, Mary is immediately swept back to the first days of their whirlwind romance, to the love that would be the foundation on which they built the family she is so proud to call her own.

Join the Sullivans this Christmas for a story that explores the wonder of the holidays, the meaning of family and a love that transcends time.

Christmas for Mary Sullivan has always been about her family. As she is decorating the Christmas tree and pulling out home made ornaments from her children, each one brings with it a flood of memories. The last one is most precious, the first one given to her by her husband Jack for their very first Christmas together and she cannot help but remember the love that bought them together and built the foundation of their family.

I have to admit, I dove into this one head first. I have never ever read a Bella Andre book before even thought I own book one. I did come into this one with a lot of expectations. I know, shame on me for starting all the way on book ten, but it is what it is.

I did not know how to feel about this book at first. I did like Bella Andre style of writing, it was just too... sweet for me. (Except for the abundance of sensuous love scenes that left me scratching my head by how it had been written) Everything was going perfect for Mary and Jack. From the first time they set their eyes on each other to Mary getting back together with her family and even the perfect wedding. Honestly I was so sick of perfect by the time I got to the end of the book that I did not expect the flood gate of emotions to open up at the realizations that this perfect man that she fell in love with, that gave her everything her heart desires is long gone and it's only Mary and her children for Christmas.

Something about that actually made me shed a couple of tears. It came so unexpected. Especially since the book dragged for me that I have decided to up my rating for Jack. Even if he was too sweet, even if he was too perfect. It's no secret that Jack is no longer with them. But the fact that in the end this book unleashed tears, was enough for me to reconsider my rating.