Blame It on the Mistletoe

September 13, 2021
Two 16-year-olds swap homes for Christmas in this slightly contrived but entertaining rom-com. Enrolling in an Instagram challenge to gain 15,000 followers first, American influencer Noëlle “Elle” Miller wants to fly to the U.K. to build her following, suggesting a switch with one of her lucky followers. British, plan-loving Holly Judd, one of Elle’s devotees, is usually a Christmas fanatic, but this year, everything’s changing: her older sister is in Thailand, she’s not over her ex-boyfriend, and her mother is selling their house in the charming village where Elle’s mother grew up. In alternating chapters studded with texts and Elle’s Instagram captions, the teens navigate new terrain post-switch: in Alpine Peaks, N.J., Holly explores Christmas excitement with Elle’s enigmatic, handsome twin, Nick; in Little Marsh, England, Elle gets to know Holly’s friends while fighting memories of trolls and betrayal from her defunct Instagram account. Garrod provides holiday festivities galore—pantomime, costume parties, Christmas jumpers, snow—as well as social media skullduggery, surprises, and secrets. If the characterization of the implied all-white cast isn’t as deft as the plotting, the bow-wrapped ending will still appeal. Ages 13–up. (Nov.)■

October 1, 2021
Two social media influencers on either side of the Atlantic decide to switch places to boost followers--and learn some life lessons in the process. Holly, a 16-year-old Brit, adores Christmas. She sends herself a card in advance every year and makes a 39-point Christmas-decorating list. But all the tinsel in the world won't improve her mood after a bad boyfriend breakup. Meanwhile, in Alpine Peaks, New Jersey, American Elle is working to increase the following of her new social media account, @OneElleOfATime, and helping her parents with their Christmas tree rental and decoration business while struggling with the stress of yet another move. A challenge from another influencer to take part in a race to be the first to get 15,000 new followers propels the girls to engage in a life swap over Christmas. Holly's and Elle's alternating first-person narratives are laugh-out-loud funny. The roller-coaster drama of their lives as they pursue this outrageous adventure while adapting to each other's cultures, dealing with the stress of finding material to attract followers to their accounts, and meeting cute boys will keep the pages turning. The constant British versus American wordplay threading the narrative will appeal to many and will introduce non-British readers to holiday traditions such as mince pies, Christmas jumpers (sweaters), and pantomime. All main characters present White. A festive story that shows that in the end it's friends, not followers, who count. (Romance. 12-16)

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