The Magic of Mistletoe, Montana
Imagine a picturesque small town nestled in the snow-capped mountains of Montana, where Christmas isn't just a holiday on the calendar—it is a way of life. The fictional town of Mistletoe, Montana, serves as the enchanting backdrop for a collaborative romance series launched in 2020. Rather than following a single narrative path, the series is a collective project written by some of the most popular names in contemporary and steamy romance, including Frankie Love, Hope Ford, Jenika Snow, and L. Nicole.
Each book in the series is a standalone novella. This means you do not have to worry about frustrating cliffhangers or complex multi-book plots. Instead, these authors focus on "insta-love" tropes, second chances, and holiday miracles, giving readers quick, emotionally satisfying stories that can easily be devoured in a single sitting next to a warm fireplace. While the characters change from book to book, the shared setting of Mistletoe, with its close-knit community and holiday charm, remains the comforting heart of the series.
How to Read the Mistletoe Montana Series
Because every book in the Mistletoe Montana series functions as an independent love story, there is no strict chronological timeline you must follow to understand the plots. However, reading them in publication order is highly recommended for the best experience. Reading the books as they were released allows you to watch the town of Mistletoe expand, noticing subtle references to local landmarks, shops, and minor recurring characters who make cameo appearances in other authors' stories.
Here is the complete publication order of the Mistletoe Montana books, all of which were published during the holiday season of 2020:
- Santa's Cookies by L. Nicole (2020)
- Winter Vibes by Frankie Love (2020)
- Her Christmas Soldier by Hope Ford (2020)
- His Big Package by Jenika Snow (2020)
- Santa's Gifts by Beatrice Brae (2020)
- His Snow Angel by Tory Baker (2020)
- Stuffed by Lena Lucas (2020)
- His Christmas Promise by Elisa Leigh (2020)
- Tangle My Tinsel by Winter Travers (2020)
- Christmas Wish by Scarlett Winters (2020)
- Whiskey Holiday by Crystal Daniels and Sandy Alvarez (2020)
- Sleigh Bride by Xavier Neal (2020)
- Naughty or Nice? by L. Wilder (2020)
- Nic's Candy by Aria Cole and Mila Crawford (2020)
- Christmas Carol by Jordan Marie (2020)
- His Holiday Dare by Amelia Wilde (2020)
- Cold Killjoy by Esther E. Schmidt (2020)
Chronological Order vs. Publication Order
For readers who worry about timeline discrepancies, Mistletoe Montana is incredibly straightforward. Since all seventeen novellas were released in rapid succession during the winter of 2020 and are set during the exact same festive season, the publication order is practically identical to the chronological timeline. You will not find any prequels, flashbacks to different eras, or complex chronological shifts that require a timeline map. You can simply read from book one through seventeen, or cherry-pick the stories that feature your favorite romance tropes.
Best Starting Points for New Readers
If you are feeling overwhelmed by a seventeen-book list, do not worry. You can start your journey into Mistletoe with these highly recommended entry points:
- The Official Beginning: Santa's Cookies by L. Nicole. This is the very first book published in the series. It introduces the holiday-loving Krissy Kringle and the grumpy workaholic Maddox Holt. It sets the perfect tone for the town's festive, cozy atmosphere.
- For Friends-to-Lovers Fans: Winter Vibes by Frankie Love. This story follows Aspyn as she spends a ski chalet Christmas pinning after her brother's best friend, Cole, delivering a steamy and emotional friends-to-lovers story.
- For Sweet, Heartfelt Romance: Her Christmas Soldier by Hope Ford. A touching, long-distance military romance between a soldier and a kind stranger who sends him holiday cookies, showing how love can span continents.
- For High-Steam Romance: His Big Package by Jenika Snow. A spicier installment that highlights the instant chemistry and passion between Blythe and Logan amidst the snowy Montana backdrop.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the snowy streets of Mistletoe, there are a few stylistic choices to keep in mind. First, these are novellas rather than full-length novels. Most of the books can be read in under two hours, making them ideal for quick reading breaks during a busy holiday season. Second, the series heavily features "insta-love" or fast-paced romance tropes, where characters fall deeply in love very quickly. Finally, because the series is written by a diverse group of authors, the tone can shift slightly from sweet and cozy to highly steamy and explicit. Checking individual book descriptions will help you match each story to your preferred heat level.