Merriment and Mayhem (Under the Mistletoe collection)

3.5 3.5 out of 5 stars | 19,239 ratings

Price: 0.99

Last update: 04-28-2025


About this item

This Christmas, a hot fireman makes a holiday rescue and sparks fly in this sizzling holiday short story by bestselling author Alexandria Bellefleur.

When Everleigh Dangerfield’s baking disaster necessitates a call to 911, firefighter Griffin Brantley douses the flames in the kitchen, but the ones he stokes in Everleigh are an entirely different story. Unfortunately, Everleigh’s only visiting and doesn’t do casual hookups, no matter how smoldering the temptation. But Everleigh’s holiday mishaps have just begun. And Griffin is seemingly always on call. If Everleigh is game for a change of plans, he can give her the merriest Christmas of her life.

Alexandria Bellefleur’s Merriment and Mayhem is part of Under the Mistletoe, a collection of sexy December romances to warm the cold winter nights. They can be read or listened to in one swoony sitting.


Top reviews from the United States

  • Paigereads96
    3.0 out of 5 stars 3⭐️/3????️
    Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2024
    Fun, quirky, sweet, spicy and quick! This short little Christmas story was adorable to read. I would definitely read a full length book of this couple.
  • Katherine Tedder
    4.0 out of 5 stars Cute and Fun, but Not Life-Changing
    Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2024
    Here's a review you can use:

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆
    Cute and Fun, but Not Life-Changing

    Merriment and Mayhem was a sweet and flirty holiday read with some laugh-out-loud moments, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. The premise of a baking disaster leading to sparks with a hot firefighter was definitely entertaining, and I appreciated the humor woven throughout the story.

    Everleigh and Griffin had solid chemistry, and their interactions were charming, but the short format didn’t give their romance much room to fully develop. It’s a quick, fun read that’s great for getting into the holiday spirit, but it’s more of a feel-good snack than a satisfying meal.

    If you’re in the mood for lighthearted holiday mishaps and a festive romance that doesn’t take itself too seriously, this one is worth a read!
  • Vanessa
    5.0 out of 5 stars She’s a hot mess and he is here for it.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2024
    Everleigh and Griffin.

    Who doesn’t love a firefighter romcom.

    Everleigh is just trying to get her recently deceased grandmother’s house to sell but she just gets herself into situations that warrants the need of help from the local fire department.

    Griffin is one of the firefighters who is there to help her every time.
    The banter was cute and the spice was just right.

    Cute and quick novella
    Also the narrator was great.

    Would I recommend? Yep!
    Would I reread/listen? Yep!
  • Kristin Jenkins
    3.0 out of 5 stars Hot mess
    Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2024
    The flirting between the two ML’s is sweet.
    Not seeing why you bake cookies if you’re supposed to be getting a house packed, clean and ready to sell.
    The fml is somewhat clumsy and was a damsel in distress throughout the whole short story. Of course she’s rescued each time by a hot fireman, who happens to flirt on the job, knowing his co-workers are nearby.
    The ending scene with them together leaves a bit of cringeworthy lines as I shake my head.
    This was a fun read even though there is a mismatch in the way the fml is presented.
  • MB
    2.0 out of 5 stars Holiday romance?
    Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2024
    Well, that certainly put the X in Merry X-Mas.

    Generally, I’m a big fan of Alexandria Bellefleur’s work, but this story fell flat in so many ways and I found myself giving both MCs the biggest side-eye possible throughout.

    With a story that’s in the 50 page range, it’s really important to focus on providing context for the characters actions, but here all I got was a clumsy female MC and a stereotypically hot firefighter male MC.

    Everleigh’s backstory fell into the tragic spectrum, but although she’s grieving the loss of her grandmother and being alone during the holidays, she’s also horny? Okay then. But hey, Everleigh is also incompetent when it comes to everything? She burns Christmas cookies so badly that she almost burns down her house. But don’t worry, her nosy neighbor calls the fire department and soon the love interest will arrive. Okay. Um. What?

    Of course, the cookies aren’t the only thing that’s burning in Everleigh’s house because a hotter than hot fireman swoops in to help her and start a fire in her panties. Good thing he can put out that fire with his hose. Um. Okay?

    Griffin is all flirty and hot and horny or whatever. His fellow firefighters all know the score here because they don’t seem surprised that he’s trying to get in the pants of this damsel in distress. I mean, what? Isn’t that a breach of ethics or something?

    I read a lot of romance novels. I get that suspending disbelief is part of the deal, but I just couldn’t do that with this story. I need context that makes sense, especially if the MCs fall into insta-love territory. But this wasn’t insta-love. Perhaps it was meant to be insta-love. But it really was just insta-horny and not at all what I was expecting or wanting out of a holiday romance.

    In this story, we get a lot of Everleigh making clumsy and dangerous decisions that land her in the arms of Griffin and eventually into his bed. Okay, fine. But where’s the sweet holiday romance? Where’s the swoon worthy moments? Where’s the getting to know each other a little better?

    The eventual sex scene was a yikes moment from start to finish. I’m not going to go into explicit detail about what didn’t work in this scene, but having the MCs decide not to use a condom is certainly a choice. Not a good choice. But it was a choice. Blech.

    This story was a big no from start to finish. Griffin Brantley? Really? Everleigh Dangerfield? Really? Even the MCs names are lame. I’m gonna go wash my brain out with a book that doesn’t make me want to dry heave.
  • Reese
    4.0 out of 5 stars So cute
    Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2024
    3.5

    I am such an Alexandria Bellefleur fan and I was so excited when I saw that she was going to be a part of this collection. I enjoyed this one from the start, I thought the banter was fun and flirty, and even though the relationship was fast moving, it didn't feel over the top. It goes without saying but I am really looking forward to whatever is next!
  • Hermilton11
    3.0 out of 5 stars A Fun, Steamy Read
    Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2024
    This was a fun, quick read that ended in some steam. I would have actually enjoyed this plot line in a longer novel because Everleigh and Griffin's whole meet cute was funny and I could see it playing out even longer. Still it was a fun read and I will probably check out other books by Bellefleur.
  • Cori / RomancingtheReader
    4.0 out of 5 stars Funny with a side of meet cute(s)…
    Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2024
    I laughed a few times out loud at this one - which is a rarity - so I’m satisfied with it for sure.

    ???? ???????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????: Merriment and Mayhem by Alexandria Bellefleur

    ???? ????????????????????????: Under the Mistletoe collection. Book 4.

    ???? ???????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????: E-book on Kindle. Free on KU to read & listen.

    ???? ????????????????????: Holiday romance

    ???? ????????????????????????: Novella, meet cute, firefighter, instalove, hurt/comfort.

    ???? ????????????????????????????????: Everleigh is preparing her grandmother’s house for sale when she accidentally sets cookies on fire, and meets flirty firefighter, Griffin.

    ???? ????????????????????????: This one was no muss no fuss - and I’m here for it.

    I loved the multiple meet-cutes between Everleigh and Griffin. I loved Griffin’s flirtiness. And I thought the spice was pretty legit. Overall, I’d say this one was more fun and happy vs. swoony, and that’s ok in a collection like this where readers get options.

    ????????????????????????: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

    ???????????????????? ????????????????????: 3/5 ????????????

    • Best Sellers in

     
     

    Only Santas in the Building (Under the Mistletoe collection)

    3.6 3.6 out of 5 stars 17,660
    0.99
     
     

    The Answer Is No: A Short Story

    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 45,181
    1.99
     
     

    The Housemaid's Wedding: A Short Story

    3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 67,294
    0.99
     
     

    All by My Elf (Under the Mistletoe collection)

    2.8 2.8 out of 5 stars 20,112
    0.99
     
     

    Bride Bargain

    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 851
    2.99
     
     

    Crime of Fashion (Busybodies collection)

    3.3 3.3 out of 5 stars 877
    1.99
     
     

    So Late in the Day: Stories of Women and Men

    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 809
    4.49
     
     

    Wickedly Sweet (Wickedly Psychos Collection Book 1)

    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 1,563
    2.99