Mistletoe and Mishigas

De: M. A. Wardell

Narrado por: Mark Sanderlin, Kirt Graves

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?

©2023 M. A. Wardell (P)2025 Forever

Really cute and wholesome

Both of the major characters were very distinct and done very well. I thought the chemistry between was pretty good as well. All around a really wholesome and fun read.

Lovely opposites attract romance.

This was a lovely, heartfelt opposites attract romance. I really like both Sheldon and Theo and enjoyed the journey to their happily ever after.

Loved both the narrators, great choices!

Trauma slows the burn but it is still perfect.

Big bear with ptsd and low self esteem snags the eye of a flamboyant bottom who also has low self esteem. Marriage of convenience and then only fooling themselves leads to spice and true love. Adorable.

Christmas Hanukkah and romance

This was a very enjoyable book I love the holidays and the Jewish mom and dad We’re absolutely a fantastic add onto the story a little angst little sadness and a lot of fun

Beautiful 😭🤍

The story is absolutely beautiful, had me cry , laugh and sometimes feel all the feelings , such a beautiful story wow

A good read if you have a credit to spare

Just finished this one and I honestly had a smile on my face through most of the read. Some of the sexier parts seemed out of place with the rest of the story and were pretty distracting from the rest of the plot. There was a throw-away scene between Theodore and the school principal which could have been expanded on or left out entirely without making a difference to the plot.

The final 30 minutes or so seemed the most slapped together for a finale. Sheldon having a hissy-fit near the end was an unnecessary plot point. The story has a lot of themes that could have been edited to focus more on true character development. There's 30 y/o virgin, PTSD, body dis-morphia, parents abandoning their gay child, twins, opposites attract, ex getting married, and the list goes on. Not ALL the tropes are necessary.

Again, with all that being said, I was entertained throughout and do recommend to fellow LGBT+++ looking for a decent story.

Even better than the first

Mistletoe and Mishigas by MA Wardell.

- Fake Dating
- Theo = the bear I’d choose in the woods 🐻
- When the twink and the redhead are the same person.
- Grumpy 😾 Sunshine ☀️
- Theo is an ass man. 🎂 🍑
- Gay Abbott Elementary

Sweet odd-couple redemption story

Loved the characters, the narration, and how they helped each other heal. Could have done without the text-messaging sound effects.

Definitely worth the read, highly recommend

This book was hilarious and excellently written. I thought this book would be cliche or corny but it wasnt at all. The author is creative and has uniquely spun the cliche of jaded lover meets chipper lover cliche, and the fake lovers to real lovers cliche. Having characters with diverse body sizes is also an inclusive decision. As a plus sized person, I felt represented. Booster is a weird nickname. Never got used to it. Cute ending. Steamy scenes throughout.

Emotional Support Book to the Rescue

Man these two characters had some big things to face. It hurt my heart that one character isolated themself but can understand their need to. I was so happy to see him face the obstacles he faced individually and with the help of the new peppy teacher! The grumpy/sunshine was done so, so well here. I really appreciate when the sunshine character also has their own troubles to face and isn’t just a happy go lucky person without problems.