Alexandria Bellefleur’s Merriment and Mayhem shines as a standout entry in Amazon’s Under the Mistletoe Collection, joining works by Ali Hazelwood (Cruel Winter with You), Tessa Bailey (Merry Ever After), Olivia Dade (All by My Elf), and Alexis Daria (Only Santas in the Building). The novella perfectly captures the charm of small-town romance while offering a fresh spin on familiar holiday tropes.
Story Overview
When Everleigh Dangerfield returns to Port Angeles to settle her grandmother’s estate, she doesn’t expect her baking mishap to bring firefighter Griffin Brantley into her life. What follows is a delightful series of misadventures that bring these two characters together in increasingly entertaining ways.
Strengths
Character Development
Bellefleur excels at creating multifaceted characters that feel genuine:
Everleigh’s grief over her grandmother’s passing and her resistance to change feel authentic
Griffin’s playful persistence masks genuine emotional depth
Supporting characters like Frank and Gloria add warmth and community
Character growth feels organic despite the novella’s length
Chemistry and Dialogue
The author demonstrates particular skill in:
Creating sizzling romantic tension
Writing witty, natural dialogue
Building emotional connection through humor
Balancing serious moments with lighthearted banter
Setting and Atmosphere
Port Angeles comes alive through:
Vivid descriptions of the coastal town
Rich holiday atmosphere
Strong sense of community
Integration of local landmarks and culture
Writing Style Analysis
Bellefleur’s prose shines with:
Crisp, engaging dialogue
Evocative descriptive passages
Well-paced emotional development
Seamless blend of humor and heart
Plot Structure
The story maintains excellent pacing through:
Multiple entertaining encounters between leads
Natural progression of relationship
Well-timed emotional revelations
Satisfying resolution
Areas for Improvement
While largely successful, the novella has some minor weaknesses:
The resolution of Everleigh’s career situation feels slightly rushed
Some secondary character relationships could be more developed
The final conflict resolution might benefit from more complexity
A few plot points rely on convenient timing
Thematic Elements
The novella explores several compelling themes:
Finding home in unexpected places
Healing from loss through new connections
The balance between career and personal life
The courage to embrace change
Romance Development
The love story unfolds naturally through:
Gradual build of trust
Genuine emotional connection
Physical chemistry that enhances rather than drives the plot
Realistic obstacles to relationship development
Holiday Integration
Christmas elements enhance the story through:
Organic incorporation of holiday traditions
Festive atmosphere that adds to the plot
Seasonal activities that drive character interaction
Holiday spirit that reinforces themes of home and family
Technical Elements
The novella demonstrates strong technical execution in:
Scene transitions
Point of view handling
Pacing
Emotional buildup
Impact and Resonance
Merriment and Mayhem succeeds in:
Creating authentic emotional connection
Building believable romance
Establishing strong sense of place
Delivering satisfying character arcs
Comparison to Author’s Other Works
Fans of Bellefleur’s Written in the Stars series will recognize her talent for:
Creating compelling character dynamics
Writing authentic dialogue
Building romantic tension
Crafting satisfying emotional payoffs
Rating and Recommendation
Merriment and Mayhem earns 3 out of 5 stars for its:
Strong character development
Engaging romance
Authentic holiday atmosphere
Skilled writing execution
Ideal Reader Profile
This novella will particularly appeal to readers who enjoy:
Small-town romance
Holiday stories with depth
Characters with genuine chemistry
Humor mixed with heart
Similar Works to Consider
Readers might also enjoy:
Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun
One Day in December by Josie Silver
Other titles in the Under the Mistletoe Collection
Final Thoughts
Merriment and Mayhem stands out in the holiday romance genre by offering:
Fresh takes on familiar tropes
Authentic character development
Strong sense of place
Satisfying emotional depth
Conclusion
Alexandria Bellefleur’s contribution to the Under the Mistletoe Collection demonstrates why she’s become a trusted voice in contemporary romance. Despite its shorter length, Merriment and Mayhem delivers a complete and satisfying story that will leave readers believing in the magic of holiday romance while craving more of Bellefleur’s work.
The novella succeeds in balancing humor, heart, and heat while maintaining authentic character development and strong sense of place. While there are minor areas that could be strengthened, the overall execution makes this a standout entry in the holiday romance genre and a worthy addition to any romance reader’s collection.