A Maverick Under the Mistletoe

*I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review* Even though this is the fifth book in the series, each book is focused on a couple, so they can be read separately. “A Maverick under the Mistletoe” is centered on the relationship between Sutter Traub and Paige Dalton, once upon a time, boyfriend and girlfriend, but whose relationship finished five years ago, when Sutter left for Seattle and Paige refused to leave Rust Creek Falls. But now Sutter is back to his home town, returned due to the floods to help his family and agreed to stay to help in his brother's campaign to mayor of the town. And it's at the candidates' debate that Sutter and Paige resume contact, when the opponent candidate tries to use Sutter to blacken his brother's campaign and Paige stands up to defend him. Is it, therefore, any wonder that, even after the election is over, Sutter seems to be in no hurry to go back to Seattle? This is one more story taken place in a small town where almost everyone knows everybody and where the meaning of the word community is very strong. It is, however a much more realistic representation of life in a small town, because gossip reigns, as proved by the fact that their respective families always knew when and where Sutter and Paige had been together. As expected, there are a few obstacles the protagonists must overcome in order to be together. For starters, there is Paige's sorrow for Sutter's leaving to Seattle. Then there is Sutter's sorrow for Paige's refusal to go with him. And there is also all the animosity the town feels towards Sutter just because he expressed his opinion! I confess this is the point that had me befuddled, how come everyone was still against him when, as it turned out, he was right? Albeit patriotism is carried to extremes in the USA and maybe it's not as strange as it seems to me. But worse than that, how could his own family put him aside? How could a mother say such a thing to a son? Honestly, if it were me, I'm not sure I'd come back to help, floods or no floods... The Christmas setting is not crutial for the story, it could take place any other time of the year, but the romance is sweet and Sutter spares no efforts to prove to Paige that it's not too late and that there's nothing to be done, they belong together! The next book of the series is about Dallas, Sutter's brother, whose wife abandoned him and their three sons. Dallas makes an appearance in this book and I am curious to know his story which also takes place during Christmas...