A review by kj468
Mistletoe and Mishigas by M.A. Wardell

emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

 I absolutely adored M&M! I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes sweet romances, healthy relationships, and being happy! My preorder is already placed & I can’t wait to get it and highlight all my favorite bits <3 
 
Listing out everything I like about this book would make a very long, very boring review, so here's a highlight list of some of the most important things. So, let’s get into what I liked, specifically: 
 
  • Well-developed, loveable main characters
    • Sometimes, I feel like authors who write a lot of the same pairings end up writing characters that are kind of just, versions of their other characters. THAT IS NOT THE CASE FOR MA WARDELL. Not only were the two main characters in this book distinct from each other, but they were distinct from the main characters of Wardell’s first book, Teacher of the Year. 
    • Dual POV that’s very distinct. I never forgot whose POV I was reading. The characters had distinct inner monologues, personalities, and thoughts. I’m really glad we got to read Theo’s POV; I think the book would have been missing something important without it, especially with how quiet he was in the beginning! 
    • I love Theo with my whole heart. I want to give him the biggest hug. I love Sheldon, too, but Theo is such a grouchy teddy bear and was a joy to read.
  • Character growth baby! 
    • I don’t want to spoil anything, but I loved watching both of these characters grow. 
    • The one bit I will say: It was so rewarding to watch Theo go from using the minimum number of words (and sometimes even less than that) to communicating so well and robustly with Sheldon.
    • I loved how much interest Sheldon took in Hanukkah and Theo’s Jewish culture, taking time to educate himself and not expecting Theo to teach him everything. (This isn’t really character *growth* but I don’t have a better heading to put it under lol)
  • Tackles mental health in a wonderful, healthy way. 
    • Theo, one of the MCs, has PTSD from his time in Afghanistan. As a note, I don’t have PTSD (but I am an ex-psychologist & have clinically worked with veterans). I really liked the portrayal of Theo’s PTSD; it didn’t feel trivialized, it was well explained without making the reader viscerally relive Theo’s trauma, it didn’t romanticize trauma, and it wasn’t magically cured by love. It’s something Theo lives with and works to overcome when his trauma holds him back. PTSD rep isn’t something I’ve read a lot of in books, especially romance and in male characters. I really appreciate Wardell’s commitment to writing complex characters with real-life issues that people struggle with, and showing those characters find happiness and love.
    • Between Wardell’s debut novel and M&M, I have full faith in Wardell to treat his character’s mental health with care and love, and portray mental health in an accurate yet hopeful manner.
  • No on-page homophobia
    • Despite the fact that one of the MCs, Sheldon, was rejected by his parents for being gay, this book is an incredibly safe space. The reader learns about his parents' reactions through Sheldon’s thoughts and dialogue, but it’s never an active conflict that Sheldon (and the reader) has to interact with. It’s in the past, and it definitely affects Sheldon, but we don’t have to watch it happen live, you know? 
    • Like in TOY, the main characters don’t actively face any homophobia. There’s no grossness from coworkers or friends or random characters. Sheldon is visibly gay, and has clearly had experiences that have made him feel like he needs to shrink himself, to be less of who he is, but none of them happen on-page, and all the on-page characters love Sheldon for exactly who he is and encourage him to be the fullest version of himself. 
  • Great family & friend dynamics
    • Theo’s family is so sweet. His parents are Jewish and liberal and just a little meddlesome, but in a sweet way that prioritizes their son’s happiness. They welcome Sheldon into the holiday celebrations with open arms (quite literally), and treat him with so much love and care. It’s so cathartic to read Sheldon’s healing through this easy acceptance and love. 
    • Sheldon and his twin sister’s relationship is wonderful. They care so much about each other, and I really appreciate that Naomi is no contact with their parents; their close relationship would have made no sense if she wasn’t. 
    • I also really loved Theo’s friendship with his bff, Christian, who he served with. They’ve clearly been through a lot together and understand each other really well. I’m glad we got to see their friendship, especially with how quiet and shy Theo is in the first half of the book
  • Spice with feelings! 
    • These boys are SO into each other, it’s wonderful. I loved watching Theo open up to Sheldon in this way.
    • I agree with the author’s statement that there’s more spice than in book one!! 
    • I love Wardell’s style of spicy scenes, where consent and communication are prominent features, the characters are super into each other, and emotions play a role. 

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Ratings: Plot: 5 / Characters: 5 / Spice: 5 / Humor: 4 / Representation: 5
POV: dual 1st person
Tags: fake dating, forced proximity, big x little, quiet x talkative, found family, grumpy x sunshine
Representation: Jewish MC, femme gay MC, PTSD, fat/plus-size/"stocky" MC & body positivity