THE TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE is book two in the Heartbreaker Bay series by Jill Shalvis. Real estate developer, and overall hottie, Keane Winters' life is thrown into disarray. A somewhat solitary man, by circumstance and by choice, Keane has a finicky cat roommate, an aunt needing some care and kindness, and a pretty woman who gives him the cold shoulder - even though he can't remember ever meeting or offending her. Pet shop owner Willa Davis is a woman who acts the loving mother she never had to her young employees, and who is startled to see a familiar, if not entirely welcome, handsome face at her shop door one day. When these two forces collide, fireworks ensue. Keane is a hero you want to pounce on, and Willa is someone you want for a friend.

In THE TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE, Jill Shalvis combines romantic comedy with complex characters and honest emotion. Willa and Keane went to high school together but didn't run in the same circles. Some thoughtlessness on Keane's part wounded Willa deeply, but thankfully Jill Shalvis doesn't belabor the point and have the whole story be about Willa's past hurt. Willa and Keane are both grown up and Willa is smart enough to eventually see Keane for the man he is now. The flirty dialogue between Keane and Willa is delicious and increases the sexual tension.

The supporting characters in THE TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE add a lot of texture to the story. The friendships Willa has -- both with the people in her inner circle as well as employees -- help define who she is and make her more interesting. Willa's ability to see a little of her younger self in Rory gives that relationship a fascinating dynamic. Pru, Elle, Hayley, Archer, and Spence provide some humor and balance out the drama. Seth's encounters with the kitty, and diva, Pita will have you laughing and sympathizing with Seth at his plight. I love how Willa has an "Elizabeth Bennet" moment when she realizes that Seth may not be the man she always believed him to be, but in a good way.

THE TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE is a ball and gives fans the excitement, charm, and sexiness that make up a must-read romance. Jill Shalvis does a terrific job of detailing the flaws and problems of the main characters, without having things get too dark or tying things up too neatly. I can't wait to read the next book in this Heartbreaker Bay series, and hope each of Willa's friends gets their own story.

Book Summary

If she has her way . . .

Willa Davis is wrangling puppies when Keane Winters stalks into her pet shop with frustration in his chocolate-brown eyes and a pink bedazzled cat carrier in his hand. He needs a kitty sitter, stat. But the last thing Willa needs is to rescue a guy who doesn’t even remember her . . .

He’ll get nothing but coal in his stocking.

Saddled with his great-aunt’s Feline from Hell, Keane is desperate to leave her in someone else’s capable hands. But in spite of the fact that he’s sure he’s never seen the drop-dead-gorgeous pet shop owner before, she seems to be mad at him . . .

Unless he tempers “naughty” with a special kind of nice . . .

Willa can’t deny that Keane’s changed since high school: he’s less arrogant, for one thing—but he doesn’t even remember her. How can she trust him not to break her heart again? It’s time to throw a coin in the fountain, make a Christmas wish—and let the mistletoe do its work . . .