Meet Me on Mistletoe Lane

by Cassie Miller

Genres: Young Adult; YA Romance

Synopsis

Will she fall for the big-city guy, or swoon under the mistletoe with her hometown best friend? This cozy holiday romance has all the warmth and charm of your favorite Christmas film—from the author of Meet Me Under the Lights.

“Will appeal to fans of Gilmore Girls and Hallmark movies.”—Kirkus Reviews

GIANNA MANCINI IS A CHRISTMAS ROMANTIC. She especially loves the way Mullings Creek Market transforms into a holiday wonderland during the most magical time of the year.

While Gianna adores her small-town life, she dreams about traveling and getting a break from her overbearing family. Except on the same day she finally gets her ticket out, the market’s beloved owner unexpectedly passes away, leaving the property to a literal Scrooge from NYC!

The town has just one month to convince the owner, their new guest, not to sell. His flirtatious son, James, suggests he and Gianna should fake date. Surely her holiday flair will warm his father’s icy heart. While Gianna is up for whatever it takes to save the market, Sam, who has been secretly pining for Gianna for years, is not so keen on James snuggling up with his best friend next to the Christmas tree. But as the lines between Gianna and James begin to blur during gingerbread contests and candy cane hunts, so do the lines of friendship between Gianna and Sam under the glow of the town’s holiday twinkle lights.

Soon, both boys are ready to be under the mistle­toe with Gianna. Who will be her first real Christmas kiss? The future of the market and her town may just depend on it.

Filled with swoon-worthy romance, lighthearted comedy, and upbeat holiday cheer, Meet Me on Mistletoe Lane is the perfect festive read for those looking to revel in the magic of unexpected love.

Release date: October 6, 2026

Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers

Print pages: 400

Sample

I stepped inside the B&B and sighed, immediately feeling my body relax in the heat coming from the parlor room fireplace and the familiar ticking of Nona’s old grandfather clock.“The Baileys are in the North Pole, third-­floor suite,” Aunt Sofia said before stepping back outside to finish her crochet.Each room on the main and second floors were decorated in different Christmas themes like White Christmas, Cozy Cabin Christmas, Blue Christmas, and even Gingerbread House. But the third floor was always my favorite because of the North Pole theme. Two reindeer statues with faux fur and real pine wreaths flanked either side of the door that led upstairs to the grand suite, which took over the entire floor.I knocked and waited a moment, but no one answered, so I opened the door and started ascending the twinkle-­lit stairs, each one adorned with a different wooden toy.“It’s Gianna Mancini,” I announced as I climbed. “I come bearing gifts!” At the top of the stairs, I patted the head of Hermes, a very old rocking horse that had once belonged to my dad, before rounding the corner. “Who wants cook—­ Oh my gosh!” I froze and put my hand over my eyes.Because standing just a few feet away was James.Shirtless.Dripping wet.And wearing only a red towel around his waist with the quote why is the carpet all wet, todd?I peeked through my fingers to see if he had moved at all.Nope.Still there.And half naked.He smirked as he rubbed a second, green towel with the matching quote i don’t know, margo! over his blond hair. “Did someone say cookies?” he asked.My heartbeat raced as I tried to look around the room but kept getting distracted by the broad chest assaulting my eyes. “Yes, um”—­Wow, that is one toned stomach—­“I’ll just set them . . .” I darted behind the closest Christmas tree and stuck my arm out, the bag with the box of cookies dangling from it. “Here.”James laughed and stayed on the opposite side of the tree as he took the bag from my fingers. “They smell amazing.” The bag crinkled. “Is that raspberry?”“And lemon,” I added, adjusting a Santa ornament in front of my face, because what else was there to do except stare at his naked chest?Which had the slightest bit of hair swirling around his nip—­Oh my GOD, Gianna, do NOT stare at those.I started as a bedroom door opened behind me with a loud creak.“James, can you call down to Sofia and double-­check that there is, in fact, a router somewhere in this old house? The Wi-­Fi keeps dropping, and I got kicked out of a very important Zoom. Oh.” Mr. Bailey, still dressed in a suit, stopped short. “Ms. Mancini, I’m sorry I didn’t hear you come in. James!” He grabbed a shirt hanging over a chair and threw it at his son. “For God’s sake, put something on, will you? She doesn’t need to see that.”Oh yes, she does . . .