In this delightful holiday novella, two Dominicana women travel to Scotland to compete in a holiday baking competition. Kiskeya is classically trained and will do anything to win, especially for the chance to work as a sous chef in a renowned patisserie. Sully is an amateur baker who after years of keeping things together for her family finally has a chance to do something for herself. When they arrive for filming in a Scottish castle, Sully and Kiskeya learn they are going to be partners during this competition. Sully wants to incorporate the flavors of their homeland into everything they bake, but Kiskeya is reluctant to go over the top and confuse the judges. But even though they can’t quite agree on flavor profiles for the decadent pastries, they both can agree that they’re attracted to one another.

Over the course of a few days of competition and forced proximity (not to mention a modern-day one-bed scenario that makes logistical sense!), Sully and Kiskeya are heating things up both in and out of the kitchen. But as the competition nears its end, will there be anything for them back in the US, where they live on opposite coasts and have completely different goals when it comes to their lives?

Set against the whimsical backdrop of a holiday baking competition in Scotland, MANGOS AND MISTLETOE is a hot, sweet, and spicy Christmas novella. The two heroines are both accomplished bakers (hello, competence porn!) with their own reasons for entering the competition--Kiskeya wants and needs a job with a renowned patisserie to move forward with the career she’s worked so hard for and Sully finally has the time to put herself first and follow her passion. When they’re paired together, however, these strong women have to learn how to compromise as well as stand up for what they think is right when it comes to baking the best desserts possible. Once Kiskeya and Sully not only put aside their differences but learn to appreciate and respect each other as strong, capable women, the sparks fly in seriously sexy love scenes (again… just-one-bed!). The descriptions of baked goods, particularly those with Kiskeya and Sully’s Dominican-inspired flavors, are mouthwatering, and the holiday cheer is warm and cozy. Additionally, as adorable as most of this novella is, Hererra includes poignant discussions about our heroines’ Dominican heritage, family dynamics, and coming out.

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