A COWBOY UNDER THE MISTLETOE is the third book in Jessica Clare’s contemporary “Wyoming Cowboy” series. This book is one of my favorite stories in this series and an instant re- read for me. Jason Clements is a little bit desperate when he comes to the Price Ranch in Wyoming for work. He’s a soldier and not a cowboy, but his PTSD has made finding a job that fits and keeping it difficult. Jason needs a Christmas miracle in order to hold onto this new job and Sage Cooper embodies the spirit of Christmas better than most people.

I love stories in which two lonely people find each other and get to experience an attraction that is magical and fall in love. A COWBOY UNDER THE MISTLETOE has that magic. When Jason first meets Sage, she’s preparing to sell the family homestead and move out of town. Growing up in a small town, when your longtime crush is preparing for his upcoming wedding is kind of a drag. Helping Jason to help himself gives Sage a purpose and an outlet for her positivity and inherent kindness. This story is told from alternating perspectives, so readers get an up-close look at how this couple falls in love and the reasons why. Jason and Sage are such sweethearts and it’s so much fun watching their relationship develop from friendship and a fake romance to something deeper with a chemistry that can’t be denied. Jessica Clare does a wonderful job of telling an interesting and character-driven story while balancing the sexy and the sweet. A by-product of this romance is Sage’s journey of self-discovery. Knowing Jason, Sage begins to see herself the way he does and realizes everything she’s capable of. This is such a healthy relationship and these two characters support each other and act as a positive influence.

A COWBOY UNDER THE MISTLETOE is crazy good with mistletoe kisses and a winter wonderland small town magic. Sage’s ex- crush Greg is the resident boy next door-turned-bumbling oaf, but he moves the story and the characters in a positive direction. I like how Sage had compassion for the character Becca and I hope to read more about her in a future story. I eagerly await Jessica Clare’s next book.