My favorite Christmas activity is watching all the Hallmark Christmas movies. I love them! And one of my favorites (Top 5) just happens to be The Mistletoe Promise. Which, incidentally, is not out on DVD/BluRay. This hurts my heart. Hallmark, are you reading this??
Anyway...
As previously stated, The Mistletoe Promise was made into a Hallmark movie. As soon as I found out it was based on a Richard Paul Evans novel, I just had to snap it up. I'm glad I did. As is so often the case, the book was so much better than the movie. Sadly, Hallmark actually gutted the story. The Hallmark movie barely resembles the book. I understand why Hallmark did it, but I still like the book much better. (Not to worry, I'll still buy the movie if it comes out on DVD/BluRay.)
As for the book:
The Mistletoe Promise is not a long book by any means. I easily read it in just a few hours. Honestly, I couldn't put it down. Richard Paul Evans's writing is easy to read. The prose flows easily and is simply enjoyable. Neither scholarly nor elementary, the writing hits the Goldilocks zone -- just right. It's perfect for a weekend read.
Likewise, the plot and pacing of the book are also in the Goldilocks zone. There is some depth to the plot, but the book never gets too weighty. Yes, the issues that give the story depth are heart wrenching, but because the author doesn't dwell on them and drag them out they don't detract from enjoying what is ultimately a great and relaxing weekend read.
I really did like the characters in The Mistletoe Promise. Elise is believable and relatable. She is very much every one of us. In Elise I saw facets of myself, as I'm sure others will too. Elise was well written with compassion and understanding -- something all of us want, which is why I was drawn to her. Nick was also a good character. He wasn't as well rounded as Elise, nor did he enjoy the same character development, but he was still a good character and was exactly what the story (and Elise) needed.
All things considered, I would recommend this book to anyone. There is nothing objectionable -- no profanity, no sex, no questionable morals or ethics. This book is a simple, sweet, utterly enjoyable read. A perfect holiday read, but also a book that can be enjoyed any time. Just because the story is set at Christmastime doesn't mean it should be limited to Christmas time.
Happy reading!
