Title: The Cowboy's Mistletoe Truce
Series: Mistletoe Kisses Series
Author: Lily Love
Genre/Tropes: Sweet/Clean Holiday Romance; Small Town; Holiday; Cowboy; Business Rivals; Fake Dating; Grumpy/Sunshine
Release Date: November 1, 2024
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Can a fake engagement with my rival save my Christmas and melt his Grinch-like heart?Veronica never expected to rope her business rival into a fake engagement. Elijah never imagined he'd play along with the town's Christmas fanatic. But when a snowstorm and a white lie collide, they find themselves in an arrangement that's shaking up more than just the snow globes in Passion Pointe.
Veronica:
I thought I had it all figured out. A thriving business in my charming small town, and a long-distance crush on my pen pal who made my heart skip a beat with every letter. But when he shows up in town engaged to someone else, my perfectly planned Christmas crumbles faster than a stale gingerbread house.
In a moment of panic, I blurt out that I'm engaged too—to Elijah, of all people! My long-time rival and the last man on earth I'd ever consider dating. Now I'm stuck in a fake engagement with the Grinch of Passion Pointe, all to save face in front of the man I thought I loved.
There's just one problem: pretending to be in love with Elijah is starting to feel less like a chore and more like a Christmas miracle. Between stolen glances under the mistletoe and a truce that's heating up faster than spiced cider, I'm beginning to wonder if the spirit of Christmas has more in store for us than I ever imagined.
Elijah:
Christmas in Passion Pointe? No thanks. I had my escape all planned out until a freak snowstorm grounded every flight out of town. Now I'm trapped in a winter wonderland with tinsel-covered memories I'd rather forget.
To make matters worse, Veronica, my business rival and the queen of Christmas cheer, has roped me into playing her fake fiancé. All I have to do is endure a few weeks of holiday madness, and that prime piece of real estate I've been eyeing that she snagged is as good as mine.
Or so I thought. I didn't count on Veronica's infectious holiday spirit melting my icy resolve. Or how our pretend kiss under the mistletoe would leave me wishing it was real. Now I'm wondering if expanding my ranch is worth giving up the sweetest gift of all—a chance at love with the woman who's been right in front of me all along.
'The Cowboy's Christmas Truce' is a heartwarming, clean romance featuring a Christmas-loving heroine and her Grinch-like rival turned fake fiancé. Set in the charming small town of Passion Pointe, this story of fake dating and holiday magic promises a season of discovery, warmth, and unexpected love. With a cowboy hero learning to embrace the Christmas spirit, witty banter, and sweet mistletoe moments, this book delivers a joyful happily ever after that will leave you believing in the magic of the season. If you enjoy slow-burn tension, rivals-to-lovers, and a love that overcomes all obstacles, this book is your perfect holiday treat!
The room falls silent again. I take advantage of the moment to slip out, the cool night air a welcome relief from the tension inside.
As I walk, my mind wanders to Veronica. Sweet, vibrant Veronica, with her endless enthusiasm for all things Christmas. I've lost count of how many times I've wanted to ask her out over the years. But every time I get close, something holds me back.
It's not just the ranch, though that's part of it. It's the nagging feeling that I'm not good enough. That I can't protect the people I care about. I couldn't save my parents, and now I'm on the verge of losing their legacy. How could I ever be worthy of someone like Veronica?
Before I realize it, I'm at the edge of our property, near the fence line I share with Veronica's ranch. A flash of movement catches my eye, and I spot her walking with a man I don't recognize. They're laughing, heads bent close together, and something twists in my gut. Jealousy, I realize with a start.
I'm about to turn and leave when a pretty brunette approaches them. She throws her arms around the man, planting a kiss on his cheek. "Noah! There you are!"
Noah. The name strikes a chord. Isn't that Veronica's pen pal? The one who used to live in the old Miller house down the way before they sent him away to live with his grandparents? I step closer without realizing it. She's been talking about this dude for years, but I’ve never seen him here in person before.
I watch as Veronica's smile falters, her body language shifting from relaxed to tense in an instant. Before I can process what I'm seeing, she spots me and waves me over.
"Elijah! There you are honey!"
Honey? What the--
As I approach, confusion clear on my face, Veronica grabs my arm and pulls me close. Her touch sends a jolt through me, and I have to remind myself to breathe.
"Noah, Sarah, this is Elijah. My fiancé."
My brain short-circuits. Fiancé? What game is she playing?
"Play along," she whispers fiercely in my ear. "Please. I'll do anything."
Against my better judgment, I slip an arm around her waist. The familiar scent of lavender and vanilla that I've always associated with her envelops me. "Nice to meet you," I say, hoping my voice sounds steadier than I feel.
Noah's eyebrows shoot up. "Fiancé? Wow, Roni, you didn't mention that in your emails."
"Oh, it's a recent development," Veronica says, her laugh high and nervous. "Right, sweetie?"
I nod, still trying to wrap my head around what's happening. "Very recent."
"Well, congratulations!" Sarah gushes. "You two make such a cute couple."
"Thanks," I manage, tightening my grip on Veronica as I feel her start to tremble. "We're very happy."
The conversation continues, but I'm barely listening. My mind is racing, trying to figure out how I ended up in this situation. One minute, I'm worrying about losing the ranch, and the next, I'm pretending to be engaged to the woman I've secretly had feelings for since high school.
As Noah and Sarah say their goodbyes, promising to catch up more later, Veronica maintains her grip on me. It's only when they're out of sight that she lets go, sagging against the fence.
"I'm so sorry," she says, not meeting my eyes. "I panicked. I just... I couldn't let him see how pathetic I am."
"Pathetic?" I repeat, incredulous. "Veronica, you're one of the strongest people I know."
She looks up at me then, surprise clear in her eyes. "You don't have to say that. I know you probably think I'm ridiculous, pining after some guy I've only known through letters."
I shake my head, wondering how someone so brilliant could be so blind. "I don't think you're ridiculous. I think you deserve someone who appreciates you. Someone who's here, not just words on a page."
"Someone like you?" she asks, a hint of a challenge in her voice.
As I walk, my mind wanders to Veronica. Sweet, vibrant Veronica, with her endless enthusiasm for all things Christmas. I've lost count of how many times I've wanted to ask her out over the years. But every time I get close, something holds me back.
It's not just the ranch, though that's part of it. It's the nagging feeling that I'm not good enough. That I can't protect the people I care about. I couldn't save my parents, and now I'm on the verge of losing their legacy. How could I ever be worthy of someone like Veronica?
Before I realize it, I'm at the edge of our property, near the fence line I share with Veronica's ranch. A flash of movement catches my eye, and I spot her walking with a man I don't recognize. They're laughing, heads bent close together, and something twists in my gut. Jealousy, I realize with a start.
I'm about to turn and leave when a pretty brunette approaches them. She throws her arms around the man, planting a kiss on his cheek. "Noah! There you are!"
Noah. The name strikes a chord. Isn't that Veronica's pen pal? The one who used to live in the old Miller house down the way before they sent him away to live with his grandparents? I step closer without realizing it. She's been talking about this dude for years, but I’ve never seen him here in person before.
I watch as Veronica's smile falters, her body language shifting from relaxed to tense in an instant. Before I can process what I'm seeing, she spots me and waves me over.
"Elijah! There you are honey!"
Honey? What the--
As I approach, confusion clear on my face, Veronica grabs my arm and pulls me close. Her touch sends a jolt through me, and I have to remind myself to breathe.
"Noah, Sarah, this is Elijah. My fiancé."
My brain short-circuits. Fiancé? What game is she playing?
"Play along," she whispers fiercely in my ear. "Please. I'll do anything."
Against my better judgment, I slip an arm around her waist. The familiar scent of lavender and vanilla that I've always associated with her envelops me. "Nice to meet you," I say, hoping my voice sounds steadier than I feel.
Noah's eyebrows shoot up. "Fiancé? Wow, Roni, you didn't mention that in your emails."
"Oh, it's a recent development," Veronica says, her laugh high and nervous. "Right, sweetie?"
I nod, still trying to wrap my head around what's happening. "Very recent."
"Well, congratulations!" Sarah gushes. "You two make such a cute couple."
"Thanks," I manage, tightening my grip on Veronica as I feel her start to tremble. "We're very happy."
The conversation continues, but I'm barely listening. My mind is racing, trying to figure out how I ended up in this situation. One minute, I'm worrying about losing the ranch, and the next, I'm pretending to be engaged to the woman I've secretly had feelings for since high school.
As Noah and Sarah say their goodbyes, promising to catch up more later, Veronica maintains her grip on me. It's only when they're out of sight that she lets go, sagging against the fence.
"I'm so sorry," she says, not meeting my eyes. "I panicked. I just... I couldn't let him see how pathetic I am."
"Pathetic?" I repeat, incredulous. "Veronica, you're one of the strongest people I know."
She looks up at me then, surprise clear in her eyes. "You don't have to say that. I know you probably think I'm ridiculous, pining after some guy I've only known through letters."
I shake my head, wondering how someone so brilliant could be so blind. "I don't think you're ridiculous. I think you deserve someone who appreciates you. Someone who's here, not just words on a page."
"Someone like you?" she asks, a hint of a challenge in her voice.
Lily Love is the Clean Romance pseudonym of USA Today Bestselling Author Deidre – Ann Anderson. She is a simple lady who loves Romance where sweet meets funny.
Lily Love lives in Canada with her husband in their own little love fortress. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, designing random covers, playing video games or watching a good Hallmark movie. She enjoys reading just about anything with romance, or suspense, and having a chat with friends and family.
Sign up for Lily's newsletter to never miss a new release, giveaway, or promo!
LilyLoveWrites.com/Subscribe
Lily Love lives in Canada with her husband in their own little love fortress. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, designing random covers, playing video games or watching a good Hallmark movie. She enjoys reading just about anything with romance, or suspense, and having a chat with friends and family.
Sign up for Lily's newsletter to never miss a new release, giveaway, or promo!
LilyLoveWrites.com/Subscribe
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