Christmas in Mustang Creek - Review

Christmas in Mustang Creek by Linda Lael Miller (Brides of Bliss County #4)
Rating: 4 Stars
Source: NetGalley
Description:  Charlotte Morgan grew up at Mustang Creek, Wyoming, and couldn't wait to escape to the big city.  But life in New York isn't as fabulous as she'd like to admit, she's lonely, doing a job she doesn't love and dating to many frogs she meets online.
There was one potential prince, Jaxon Locke, a veterinarian with definite possibilities but his move to Idaho to fill in at his dad's vet practice ended things just as they were getting interesting.  What Charlotte doesn't know is that he misses her, more than he expected.
Now an aunt who needs Charlotte's help, a new job for Jax, and a magical house guest named Mrs. Klozz all combine for a magical Christmas and a new beginning.

Genre: Romance/Contemporary

Why I Picked This Book: I have been wanting to try Linda Lael Miller's books for ages and this Christmas story in The Brides of Bliss County series seemed a perfect place to start.

My Impression:  This book requires a mug of hot chocolate, comfy close and a big fluffy blanket.  A snowy day and a roaring fire is also recommended though not required as the book will make you feel like you have these things.
This is like the very best of a Hallmark movie.  Mustang Creek is beautiful and charming and full of lovely people and delightful shops.  Charlotte's family home is a beautiful Victorian filled with all kinds of treasures.  Jax is just the nicest guy.  He's smart, he has a sense of humor and he loves animals not to mention the fact that he's not bad looking.  I was worried that his ending up in Charlotte's home town would come across as creepy or needy but it didn't.  He's totally upfront and honest but at the same time doesn't have any expectations.  It's hard not to like him - especially when you see him at work!
I didn't warm to Charlotte quite as much.  She's nice but so wish-y wash-y that I wanted to shake her sometimes.  She has this idea of what Jax wants but it's not really based on anything other than her own preconceptions. It feels kind of like she's just spinning her wheels which makes sense given her situation in the book but I wanted her to make a decision a little faster.  While I didn't dislike her I think my lack of connection to her kept me from really being swept up in the story.
Than there's the side characters - Charlotte's friends, Jax's business partner, Aunt Geneva, and the fabulous Mrs. Klozz.  These are all people I want to see more of.  I was worried that Mrs. Klozz would be over used and her magic would seem a bit heavy handed but it was absolutely perfect.  My main Christmas wish would be for her to come cook for me for a day!

So get yourself a cup of hot chocolate, curl up all warm and cozy, and spend an evening in Mustang Creek.  You won't regret it!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Definitely!  I'm looking forward to going back and reading the earlier books in the Brides of Bliss County series.

Would I Recommend this Book?: Yes.  If you like a sweet Christmas romance with just a little heat this is a great one.  Plus, there's puppies!