Under the Mistletoe - A Lucky Harbor 6.5 - A Short Story by Jill Shalvis - REVIEW

Goodreads Synopsis:
JUST ONE MORE KISS

There's no place like home for the holidays. And the Lucky Harbor Bed & Breakfast is bursting with festive lights and good cheer. But for Mia, Christmas is turning out to be anything other than merry and bright. Her recent break-up with her boyfriend Nick has made her return bittersweet. But then a surprise arrives, when Nick follows her to town bearing gifts-and asking for forgiveness.

Nick grew up without a family of his own so he's overwhelmed by the love that Mia receives from all her relatives, gathered together to celebrate the season. Under their watchful eyes, Nick finds earning back her trust the hardest thing he's ever had to do. If he succeeds, he will receive the greatest gift of all, Mia's love for a lifetime.

My Take:
3 Stars
This is a very short story, and the character development just was not there for me in this novella. It can be hard for an author to develop characters in a short story, or it can be easy. This short story, as a stand-alone, to me felt rushed, with a lot in it that could have been an entire novel, which I feel if it had been done as a complete novel, would have had great potential as a stand-alone book! It would have been great, but this is why I believe the development was definitely lacking as it was done in such a short amount of time. Too much, but too little, in a short story.  
I really wanted to enjoy a Christmas story, but I believe for the people who have read and love this series of books, this book would be a nice little extra Christmas addition for them, but not for those like myself who have not read this series. Believe me when I say this story was short as it ended somewhere around 45 to 50%, as the rest were ads for her other books, yet I had the Advanced Reader Copy, which could have been different from the published version.
There is a sex scene in this book, and I started to feel a little association with Mia and her excitement when she presents Nick with a plane ticket to go to Lucky Harbor with her, but when he turns her down. (Again, I don't know the story behind Nick), this is where the story loses my interest, even though Nick does unexpectedly comes to Lucky Harbor. After that, I could no longer develop a liking either way for the characters. 
Again, for the Lucky Harbor readers, this may be a treat for you, but for me who has not read the series, as a stand-alone story, this was not the ticket for me. I felt let down for what I was expecting, which was a nice, complete  Christmas story that would be fulfilling. 
I did receive this book for FREE from Hachette Book Group through NetGalley in exchange to read and then write a review about it. It is NOT required for this review to be either positive or negative, but of my own honest opinion. “Free” means I was NOT provided with ANY MONIES to read this book nor to write this review, but to enjoy the pure pleasure of reading it. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html

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