Mistletoe Games by Jaci Burton

No one brings the sexy out in sports like Jaci Burton, the author of the New York Times bestselling Play-by-Play novels. Now, she puts together a holiday hat trick with three novellas featuring the hottest sports around: baseball, hockey, and surfing—because hard bodies are always in season...

Holiday Games

For the high-achieving Elizabeth and her husband, baseball player Gavin Riley, failure is not an option. So when it comes to making a baby, they’re not about to let any holiday distractions get in the way of their necessary pleasures...

Holiday on Ice

It’s the season for giving and superstar hockey player Patrick “Trick” Niemeyer is ready to give dancer Stella Slovinski his heart wrapped up in bow. But he’ll have to melt the ice surrounding her heart to keep her from walking away...

Hot Holiday Nights

Christmas in Hawaii brings sports agent Tori Baldwin two presents: a young surfer at the top of his game and his business manager. But this hot threesome has to decide if the romantic wave they’ve caught is nothing more than a vacation fling, or the kind of love that could change their lives forever...

Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
ARe  ~  B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F, M/F, M/F/M Romances
Triggers: Fertility issues (#6.5)

This was a great collection. Normally, I shy away from anthologies, but this one didn't disappoint. I must admit though, the first two, for me, were just so-so, but the last one, that's the one that pushed me to 4 stars.

While the first book had some emotional issues and the second story had some logistical issues, both were pretty short and sweet. Romance is in the air for both and while the characters aren't super developed, because the stories are so short, it really isn't necessary for an in depth look at the characters' lives. I don't want to write too much, but the first book was more about wanting a family, but keeping the spark alive in a relationship. It didn't seem that they had been in a relationship that had become mundane, they just wanted to grow and mature in their lives.

The second story was more of a second chance story. Before, neither of them was ready for a relationship. Scheduling issues, life – they got in the way. While this is not what I would categorize as a true second chance, grand love story, it is one where love conquers fears and doubts. I don't want to write too much more because it will give away the stories, but let's just say that the main characters can't get enough of each other and the secondary characters make for fun reading.

The third story in the anthology was my favorite. Might be because there was more of a connection made, at least for me, among the main characters. This one was by far the longest of the three and you really were able to see the relationships develop, grow, and mature. Also, there seemed to be much more involved in this story. That might be because there are more main characters, but I think also, it was because this story had so much more going for it. Burton really wrote a story that began with attraction, grew in to something more, and changed the lives of all of the characters.

I would definitely recommend these stories.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
I love a good story, whether it be a novel or novella and once again Ms. Burton didn't disappoint.

Holiday Games

We see Liz and Gavin still very much in love and wanting to start a family. Liz has made her goal to become a mom and has started "Operation Baby," where she jumps her husband every chance she gets.

This novella shows a pair in love, contemplating the future and what may come. They deal with their problems head on, and rely on the other to give them strength.

Holiday on Ice

Trick and Stella are friends who have fooled around in the past. Due to busy lives and schedules, they drifted away from each other. Until one night they reconnect in a pub they both frequent. They hook up again, only this time, Trick is ready for more.

Stella is not sure if she is. Being very independent, she doesn't want to rely on anyone, or to be "smothered" or made to feel her career is "less important" than her boyfriend's. But Trick is different. He doesn't complain about her long hours, but rather tends to aches and pains as if it normal part of life.

The question remains – can Stella give Trick the commitment he wants without giving up who she is?

Hot Holiday Nights

Tori is in Hawaii on her annual holiday vacation and wouldn't mind a holiday fling. Alex seems to be just the guy to do that. He's a young, hot surfer who, apparently, doesn't mind being with a slightly older woman. They get along great and the sexual attraction is off the charts. So much so, they didn't notice the man sitting in the suite as she and Alex got hot and heavy just inside the door.

Ben, Alex's business manager, is slightly older than Alex and just as attractive. Tori finds herself fantasizing about Ben, of what it would look be like to be with him. And with Alex. At the same time.

The connection between Alex, Tori, and Ben is explosive and Tori wonders what it would be like to be with them long after the holidays are over.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
4.5 hot and sexy stars

These are three Christmas novellas that have been brought together in this omnibus – and are a great way to start this festive season for any sports romance fan.

Holiday Games

Liz and Gavin are the main couple in this story, and we get to laugh and cry along with them. It was great to see them making a go of their married life and looking to the future – so often romances end at the wedding, and then concentrate on another couple. But here we see 'normality,' and it is delicious. Catching up with all the Riley men and their partners too is a real treat. I loved remembering their stories.

Holiday on Ice

Great fun and festive story of a couple of people who are living the life of their dreams, and not ready to settle down... or are they? The chemistry between them is delicious, and they know how to heat up the sheets, but what about wanting more. I loved how we get a whole story in this novella and revisit old friends too.

Hot Holiday Nights

Set in Hawaii in a luxury hotel and the beach, this brings the sunshine to this Christmas story. This is a sensual and steamy read, with a wonderful indication of how three people really can balance each other out. A very enjoyable read.

Jaci Burton is the USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of the Play-by-Play series, including Unexpected Rush, All Wound Up, Quarterback Draw, Straddling the Line, Melting the Ice, and One Sweet Ride, and the Hope series, including Don’t Let Go, Make Me Stay, Love After All, Hope Burns, Hope Ignites, and Hope Flames.

Connect with Jaci

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Mistletoe Games: A Play-by-Play Anthology by Jaci Burton to read and review.