The Mistletoe Inn is the second installment in a Christmas series from Richard Paul Evans, referred to as “the King of Christmas Fiction.” The first book in the series, The Mistletoe Promise, was excellent. The books need not be read in order, like most series, because neither the characters nor the plot continue from the first to the second novel. One interesting thing Evans did, however, is to use the story line from The Mistletoe Promise as the book idea for the main character, an author named Kim Rossi, in The Mistletoe Inn. Well played, Mr. Evans. That was a really neat idea, and it brought back fond memories of the first book as I read the second one. I enjoyed The Mistletoe Inn just as much, if not more than The Mistletoe Promise. Every year around Christmas, I’m in the mood for a Christmas story, and Richard Paul Evans books are always perfect to satisfy my reader’s craving.
Kim Rossi is a newly divorced, single 32 year old aspiring writer who spends her days working as a finance officer at a car dealership. She is living in Denver, farther than she would like from her only remaining family member, her father. She lost her mother to suicide at a young age, and she still suffers from grief and guilt about her mother’s passing. To top it all off, she finds out some unsettling news about her father’s health. She decides to attend a writer’s conference at the Mistletoe Inn around Christmas time, in hopes that she will finally be able to get her novel closer to publication. The best part about the conference is that her favorite author of all time, H. T. Cowell, is the keynote speaker. Figuring she has nothing to lose, Kim spends Thanksgiving with her father and then sets off for the conference. The setting for the conference is beautiful, in wintry Burlington, Vermont. She meets a few new friends at the conference, namely Samantha and Zeke, as well as a few interesting characters, as well.
I won’t give away much more of the plot, because I want you to read and enjoy the story as much as I did. Let’s just say that the conference doesn’t turn out the way she thought it would, in more ways than one.
I truly enjoyed this book, and my only regret is that it was a very short read. I finished it in an evening, and then I wanted to read more about Kim and Zeke. Evans has an amazing way of bringing readers to spontaneous bursts of laughter and also tears with his romantic scenes and heart wrenching moments.
Now, to wait for the final installment next Christmas. I’ll be looking forward to it!
Librarian Laura 