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Going home for my last winter break of college had the same feel as the year my parents told me Santa was fictional; the daunting real world loomed too close without a childish safety net.

Working on our family Christmas tree farm is supposed to be a final, blissful reprieve before adulthood. Or it would have been, if my brother’s best friend didn’t return for his first festive season in our hometown in almost four years.

Why did Mercer Russell stay away in the first place? Oh, well that would be because I broke his heart. High school sweethearts never last, or so they say, so I destroyed us before long distance and university drama ever could.

Now that the soccer star destined for one of the best professional teams in the country is home for one last holiday hoorah, it’s clear I’m still on his naughty list … and not in the good way. Between hauling Douglas firs, helping families select their perfect tree, and assisting my mom on the register, Mercer hasn’t lost any love for those he grew up with. Except I might as well be a lump of coal with the way he glowers at me.

With the past lurking around every corner and our futures uncertain, giving into the burning attraction that could torch a row of spruces would be the worst idea ever. Then again, a fling under the mistletoe might be just the closure we need to extinguish this spark for good.

After all, it would take flying sleigh-level magic to turn a cuffing season hookup into a healing happily ever after … right?

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With Christmas right around the corner, this is a perfect book to get you in the Christmas mood. Mercer and Emily are back in town to help the family’s Christmas tree farm. They have a history together dating back to high school and ended their relationship due to the distance and haven’t seen one another in three years. Getting to see them reconnect and weave through some of the struggles they have and be able to have a happy ending was wonderful to see.

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