It’s not the typical Christmas plan…

Ally Jones made a deathbed promise to her friend who’d given her a home and shelter since she was a teen. When the older woman finally succumbed to cancer, Ally would take her ashes and spread them on a special spot in Destiny River, Texas. Still grieving, she and her canine companion leave New York City, weeks before Christmas, never anticipating that the town she’d heard so much about for many years could sprinkle seasonal magic that would change her life. And then, in a heartbeat and squeal of worn brakes, Ally’s life spins in a new direction.

Widower Sheriff Matthew Parker and his daughter, Jillie, are fine, despite the conviction of his small town’s female population that he must be in search of a wife. He’s not. His sister jokes that he should hire a fake fiancée for Christmas. Not funny. Then he witnesses a horrific car accident, and when he pulls the victim free and gazes into her stunning eyes, he sees an unexpected future.

Destiny? Impossible. How can fate unfurl happy-ever-afters for two non-believers?

Titles in the Destiny’s River series include:  Home to the Cowboy’s Arms ~ The Rancher’s Fake Fiancée ~ The Sheriff’s Mistletoe Bride ~ 

This is an adult 18+ story that contains language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Title: The Sheriff’s Mistletoe Bride
Series:  Destiny’s River #3
Author:  Debra Holt
Published:  October 9, 2025
Publisher:  Tule Publishing
My Rating:  4.5 stars

The Sheriff’s Mistletoe Bride is the third title in the Destiny’s River series, this time featuring Ally, Matthew (Matt), and his daughter, Jillie.  I am loving the Destiny’s River series so much that I don’t want it to come to a close, which I know it will, probably with the next book… but this is a series that I’ll be re-reading because, yes, it’s that good, that emotional, and I’m so invested in this family in this heartwarming small town.

Ally has lived a rough life.  When she was a teenager, Annie took her in, befriended her, gave her shelter, and a purpose.  Several years later, Annie passed away, her final request that Ally return to this small town to scatter her ashes at a specific spot and bring her beloved dog, Teddy, home, too.  Ally did not hesitate to fulfill Annie’s last request of her… not knowing that she’d find her forever home, and the one man destined to love her for a lifetime.

We’ve met Matt and Jillie in the earlier books.  He’s the town sheriff, a widower who has no interest in being “snatched up” by any of the, well, enthusiastic single ladies in town.  When he witnesses a car wreck right in front of him, an accident that his daughter inadvertently caused, he’s completely determined to help the young woman and the dog who were both injured.  There’s definitely a spark of attraction between Matt and Ally, so when his sister, Tori, suggests some fake dating to keep the single ladies at bay… well, it sure sounded like a good idea.   One fake relationship is about to deliver the best possible Christmas gift for Matt and Jillie… a love to last a lifetime.

The Sheriff’s Mistletoe Bride by Debra Holt gave me everything I adore in a Christmas Romance (while advancing a series that I love)… a surprise attraction, a fake dating scenario, found family, Christmas magic galore, small town traditions, and a special love story.  It’s well-written, full of emotions, and with just enough tension to keep me on my toes. If that sounds like your kind of romance, no matter what time of the year, then you’ll love this one. (I love this cover)

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review, giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This title is available at Amazon (affiliate link)