Christmas Mouse by Rachel Spangler is a sweet, romantic competition over Christmas. More specifically, who is better at celebrating Christmas, the City Mouse or the Country Mouse.
New York City is the place to be, as Bex considers the Big Apple to be the greatest Christmas town in the world. And Christmas is totally her jam. The anesthesiologist is enticed by a colleague with the promise of actual home cooked food and an actual lesbian cousin to talk to so she joins his family’s Thanksgiving extravaganza in rural Vermont. The lesbian cousin quickly poses a serious problem.
Ava is immediately struck by the handsome doctor’s looks and well cut suit. They hit it off immediately but then comes the snag when she learns of Bex’s ridiculous ideas about Christmas. Obviously, Ava’s favorite holiday is best spent in the beautiful snowy countryside, amid family and traditional holiday activities. And she should know because she is the world’s expert on Christmas.
Both women are so sure they’ll win the Best Christmas bet they agree to spend part of the precious season in the other’s stomping grounds, showing off what’s really the best way to celebrate. As they become closer the real dilemma appears. What to you do when you fall for someone who could never live in your world?
Pros And My Favourite Parts
I’ve rarely met people who are as crazy about and deeply rooted in the Christmas holiday. Ava and Bex know all the songs, and all the movies, and all the ways the holiday is supposed to be celebrated. It was fun to experience through their lighthearted competition what amounts to the perfect Christmas when city and country are blended together. I couldn’t begin to say which way would be better for me, and that was a very bright spot.
Like the holiday movies both women know by heart, the relationship is from the start flirty and lovely, with a constant, enjoyable holiday banter. These two are competitive but always able to appreciate what the other offers. They’re so easy together right from the start that it’s not clear at all how they could get together and be a real couple since both would have to give up so much. This dilemma sets up a surprisingly suspenseful problem that looms over the sweet competition.
The writing style is so, so smooth. Dialogue flows so well it was difficult to choose an excerpt. I could happily listen to them reading the phone book to each other. The author’s world is very friendly and a treat to inhabit for a while. There is also some diversity, including a holiday party that celebrates Christmas, Kawanza, Dieali and Hanukkah, and a family gathering that includes one of Those People – the churlish uncle no one wants to sit near.
Cons And Heads Up
The churlish uncle says some really awful things about women and queer people.
The Conclusion
This smooth and friendly book is full of lively banter and deep dives into the Christmas holiday season. Ava and Bex are experts at their brand of holiday celebration and show each other a wonderful time while falling in love.
Ava has a delightful family, except for the uncle, and Bex has a great group of friends. The book feels like a warm hug, even with the lurking tension over the question of how can they be together in the end.
Excerpt from Christmas Mouse by Rachel Spangler
“And I saw the Henley under your flannel.”
“Howie told me flannel was the fabric of our people here.”
Ava snorted. “Of course he did.”
“Is he wrong?”
“No, but don’t tell him I said so. You’ll want to bring glove liners and mittens, but you don’t need to wear them on the way. Oh, and also a cap to cover your ears.”
“I bought two of them,” she said excitedly. “One’s fleece-lined.”
“Wear that one then. I promise I won’t let you turn into a Bex-sicle. Your boots look good. Actually, it all looks good. You might be a natural.”
“Thanks.” She didn’t even try to hide her pride at having nailed this winter wear thing.
“We don’t have too far to go, but it’s a bit of a winding road.”
“As long as you’re driving, I’m happy to ride shotgun.”
They climbed into the Subaru Forester, and Bex did a double take at the sight of a saw and pile of rope in the back seat. She felt relatively certain neither had been there the night before. “Um, I’m a little less sure I want to see the surprise you’re planning. You don’t have a plastic tarp back there, too, do you?”
Ava hit the locks on the car door. “Now that you mention it, I do. Still trust me?”
She waited long enough to fake apprehension, “In for a penny, in for a pound, but you should know I told all my colleagues I was coming up here this week and to expect me back in the office on Monday.”
“A lot can happen to a person in four days, but just so you know, I don’t have murder on my agenda, or at least I don’t plan to kill any humans.”
“I was feeling better until you added the little caveat at the end.”
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Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 978-1-7343038-8-9
Publisher: Brisk Press
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Note: I received a free review copy of Christmas Mouse by Rachel Spangler. No money was exchanged for this review. When you use our links to buy we get a small commission which supports the running of this site
