Mistletoe & Mishigas by M.A. Wardell

Beauty and the Bear: Can these opposites fake their way into something real? Sheldon Soleskin should be having a horrible day. Even though he’s been unexpectedly transferred to a new school right before the holidays, has only one day to set up his new classroom, and just discovered his twin sister's been hiding an invitation to his ex-boyfriend’s Christmas Eve wedding, he’s still ready to take on the world with a smile on his face and a skip in his step. Theo Berenson just wants to be left alone to his custodial duties. But when the chipper new first-grade teacher needs help moving furniture the Sunday after Thanksgiving, he's forced to do something he detests. Help. To make matters worse, Theo's overbearing parents are coming for Hanukah in a few weeks, and he's told them he has a boyfriend. Except he doesn't. Because who would want to date an oaf like Theo? Working together, these opposites discover they might be able to help each other out. Agreeing to be each other’s dates, they become friends as they practice for their upcoming events. But when all the rehearsing starts feeling a little too real, and both men's pasts come roaring back to haunt them, will they be able to pull off the ultimate holiday masquerade?

Adult • Romance/Contemporary • Diversity Representation/LGBTQ+ • Diversity Representation/Mental Health • Diversity Representation/LGBTQ+/Own Voices • Romance

Content Warning: Mistletoe & Mishigas is a steamy, open door romance with parental abandonment because of homophobia, active combat flashbacks, PTSD episodes, a car accident (not on page), and infidelity (not by main characters).

kevinscorner book blogger

Mistletoe & Mishigas is a sweet contemporary gay romance between a first grade teacher and the school custodian. I liked how low angst this was, and there was no third act break-up. A delight and a joy to read.

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rdenwood

I loved every minute of this book. I laughed. I cried. I blushed. I gasped. I never wanted it to end. I'm fully invested in these characters and can't wait for a sequel!!! ;)