My Merry Mistake
by Courtney Walsh
Summary
Sometimes the perfect gift is standing right in front of you. . . You’re just too stubborn to see it.
I don’t like to make mistakes. Ever.
Especially when those mistakes are witnessed by the same person—flirty Finn Holbrook—who can’t seem to leave me alone. Can I really trust him not to tell anyone that the night we met, I tried to kiss him? Or that I fell apart after I got fired from a job I loved? Or that I’m not as strong as I want everyone to think I am?
The simple fact that he’s boomeranged back into my orbit after all these years feels like a great, big cosmic joke.
Only now he’s a professional hockey player, and while he doesn’t look like the goofy college bartender I met all those years ago, he still acts like one—immature, flirty, and unable to take anything seriously.
Which is why I never, ever fall for his game.
I know better than to get swept up in romance. I don’t have time. I’m busy making myself irreplaceable in my new job with the Chicago Comets. Work isn’t just something I do, it’s who I am.
And while my sisters are constantly on me to slow down and take breaks, those things aren’t on my schedule, so . . . I push on. Do more. Load up my schedule. Overcommit. Until eventually, my stress lands me in the emergency room.
The prescription? A month off. No emails. No work. No distractions.
Unless you count Finn Holbrook, who keeps showing up at my door, determined to leverage his positive, golden retriever energy to show me there’s a great, big world outside that I haven’t bothered to explore, most of it covered with white twinkle lights and Christmas decorations.
I begrudgingly go along with his grand plans, and little by little, I start to see there really is more to life than work—and more to Finn than flirting.
Which makes me wonder . . . how can someone so obviously wrong for me start to feel completely right? And more importantly . . . how do I make those feelings go away?
My Merry Mistake is an opposites attract hockey romance with all of the sizzle but none of the steam. It’s the third book in the Holidays with Hart series, but can be read as a stand alone.
My Review
I honestly do not even know where to begin because I loved this story so much. It delivered everything I wanted in a holiday romance. Christmas charm, cozy moments, rich family dynamics, strong sibling relationships, deeply relatable themes, and a beautiful love story. I laughed, I swooned, and I cried. This has easily become one of my all-time favorite Christmas romances and love stories.
The story starts a little slowly, but once it finds its rhythm, I was completely invested in Raya and her journey. As the oldest sibling, her experiences felt incredibly personal to me. The pressure to be strong for everyone else, to always be the dependable one, to never show weakness, and to push yourself to perfection while being afraid to rely on others was so real. Watching her character grow and begin to release those limiting beliefs was powerful. I loved seeing her confront the ways her habits were hurting her and slowly learn the value of rest, balance, and slowing down. Her arc was emotional, thoughtful, and extremely relatable.
And then there is Finn. He is easily one of my favorite love interests ever. I adored him. His patience, kindness, and unwavering support for Raya made my heart ache in the best way. He never judged her or tried to change her. He simply wanted what was best for her and stood by her with quiet strength. He was the kind of friend everyone hopes for, and watching their relationship deepen as their feelings surfaced was incredibly swoony. Finn is thoughtful, gentle, protective, and deeply lovable, and every scene with him felt special.
I also loved seeing characters from the first two books woven into this story. The family dynamics and sibling relationships were some of my favorite moments. Those scenes felt warm, authentic, and full of love. The story had a strong family-centered feel that added so much to the cozy atmosphere, which is something I always look for in books like this.
My one small criticism is the pacing of the holiday elements. Christmas does not fully arrive until about 60% into the story, with much of the first half focusing on Thanksgiving. That section felt a bit slow, and I found myself wishing the Christmas moments started sooner. Once the story reaches the holiday season, though, it truly shines. I loved the festive activities in Chicago, and the final setting in Montana on a snowy ranch during Christmas was absolutely perfect.
Courtney Walsh continues to be one of my favorite romance authors. I will read anything she writes. Her stories are light and comforting while still offering meaningful emotional depth. They often hit harder than expected because they feel so genuine. I love how immersive her writing is and how her books feel cozy and cinematic, like a Hallmark movie with heart. I also appreciate knowing exactly what I am getting. Sweet romance, heartfelt moments, and emotional honesty without worrying about spice, heavy language, or devastating themes. It is the perfect balance for me.
The Holidays with Hart is my favorite romcom series so far. I adore all three sisters, their bond, their humor, and the way they support one another. I never had sisters myself, but reading this series truly makes me feel like I do. And every love interest in the series has been wonderful. Thoughtful, kind, and memorable. I really hope this series continues because it is wholesome, comforting, and full of heart. I cannot recommend these books enough for clean, closed-door romances!!