Merry Little Kissmas Summary, Characters and Themes

Merry Little Kissmas by Lauren Blakely is a heartwarming holiday romance that revolves around the unlikely connection between Rowan, a professional hockey player with a cynical view of love, and Isla, a matchmaker who believes in love’s power. Set against the backdrop of the holiday season, the story brings together two seemingly incompatible people—Rowan, who avoids Christmas and relationships after a painful breakup, and Isla, a spirited and determined matchmaker.

As they spend time together to help Rowan navigate the dating world, their professional relationship turns into something more personal, challenging their beliefs and changing their lives in unexpected ways. With humor, romance, and the magic of Christmas, the book explores themes of second chances and the importance of opening one’s heart.

Summary

Rowan has always loathed Christmas. A professional hockey player, he’d rather avoid the holiday cheer altogether, especially when it comes to events like the Nutcracker Auction, which his teammates Tyler and Miles insist he attend every year.

The auction is filled with the usual holiday decorations, cheesy music, and high-priced items meant to raise money for charity. Despite his grumbling, Rowan reluctantly shows up, determined to endure the evening with as little involvement as possible.

However, the evening takes a turn when Rowan spots Isla Marlowe, the sister of his best friend and agent, Jason. Isla is a professional matchmaker, and although Rowan has no interest in her line of work, he can’t help but notice her presence.

The two share an awkward interaction involving a candy cane that falls into a punch bowl, and Isla soon calls him out on his cynical view of romance. Rowan, still reeling from a painful breakup, remains uninterested in love and dismisses Isla’s belief that everyone deserves a chance at happiness.

The next day, Isla contacts Rowan to suggest they meet and discuss the possibility of her setting him up with someone. Rowan reluctantly agrees, though he’s adamant that he doesn’t need help finding a partner.

As the two spend more time together, including a bookstore meeting arranged by Rowan’s daughter, Mia, who is an enthusiastic matchmaker in her own right, Rowan finds himself drawn to Isla’s optimism and charm.

Despite his reluctance, Rowan agrees to continue working with Isla on his “dating adventure.” He’s still skeptical about the entire process, mocking the idea of being matched with someone. However, as Isla continues her efforts, Rowan’s walls begin to soften.

He starts opening up about his fears, particularly his uncertainty about life after hockey. The more they interact, the more he admires Isla’s persistence and intelligence.

He finds himself questioning whether he’s capable of finding love again.

As they spend more time together, including a visit to a Christmas tree farm where Isla cunningly ropes Rowan into helping her pick out a tree, Rowan begins to show a more vulnerable side of himself. He shares his worries about life beyond hockey, and Isla listens with empathy and understanding.

Though Rowan is still resistant to the idea of love, he starts to recognize that Isla’s belief in romance might have some merit.

Despite his growing feelings for her, Rowan continues to keep a distance, reminding himself that Isla is his best friend’s sister and a professional matchmaker, not a potential romantic partner. However, as Isla becomes more involved in his life and bonds with Mia, Rowan starts to feel conflicted.

Isla’s enthusiasm for the holidays, her connection with Mia, and the warmth she brings into their lives make it increasingly difficult for Rowan to ignore his growing attraction to her.

As Christmas approaches, Rowan finds himself caught between his feelings for Isla and his desire to keep things professional. At a team gala, Rowan and Isla agree to pretend to be a couple for the sake of Rowan’s teammates.

While it begins as a fake dating arrangement, the chemistry between them becomes undeniable. Rowan’s protective side emerges when he remembers Isla’s favorite things, like salted caramels, and his actions grow more tender and considerate.

The two continue their fake-dating arrangement, but the lines between their professional relationship and their growing feelings for each other begin to blur. Rowan wrestles with the idea of taking a chance on love again, while Isla starts to feel the strain of keeping things purely professional.

Their playful banter, flirtatious moments, and tender exchanges hint at the deeper emotions they both struggle to acknowledge.

As the story unfolds, Rowan’s internal conflict intensifies. He’s afraid of getting too close to Isla, especially considering how much Mia has come to like her.

Rowan doesn’t want to risk another heartbreak, particularly for Mia, who had suffered when his previous relationship ended. Despite his fears, the attraction between him and Isla only grows stronger.

Things reach a tipping point when Rowan breaks up with Isla before Christmas Eve, believing that their relationship is moving too fast. Isla, heartbroken, tries to move on but can’t shake her feelings for him.

Rowan, realizing his mistake, regrets his decision and goes to great lengths to make amends. He plans a grand gesture, buying her gifts and planning a trip to Kauai to apologize and show how much he cares.

Eventually, Rowan and Isla reunite, admitting their love for each other. They attend the Christmas gala together, and their relationship becomes official.

As they begin building a future together, Rowan embraces the idea that love is worth the risk. Isla, once skeptical of second chances, also opens her heart to the possibility of a lasting relationship.

Together, they create new traditions, blending their lives with Mia and creating lasting memories. Their love grows as they celebrate the holiday season, and by the end of the story, Rowan realizes that love, though risky, is worth fighting for.

He and Isla look forward to the future, full of hope, love, and the joy of a family united by the holidays.

Characters

Rowan

Rowan, a professional hockey player, is the embodiment of cynicism when it comes to love and relationships. He holds a strong aversion to Christmas, largely due to the painful breakup he experienced in the past, which has shaped his guarded, reluctant nature.

Despite his objections, Rowan is dragged into situations like the Nutcracker Auction by his teammates, and although he initially resists, he finds himself slowly drawn to Isla. He is a complex character, as his tough, gruff exterior hides a softer, more vulnerable side.

Rowan’s protective instincts shine through when it comes to his young daughter, Mia, and his dog, Wanda, showing that beneath his skepticism about romance, he is deeply caring for those close to him. Over time, his interactions with Isla challenge his beliefs about love, and his growing affection for her forces him to confront his fears of vulnerability.

Though he initially resists Isla’s matchmaking efforts, Rowan eventually opens up, revealing his deep insecurities about his future, especially after hockey, and the possibility of being hurt again. His journey is one of emotional growth, where he learns to let down his walls and embrace love, despite the risks.

Isla

Isla is a determined and confident matchmaker, whose personal experiences with heartbreak have shaped her belief in the possibility of love for everyone, including someone as seemingly unlovable as Rowan. She enters the story with the goal of helping Rowan, despite his skepticism and reluctance.

Isla’s character is marked by her persistence and her ability to remain upbeat even in the face of Rowan’s resistance. She is not only a matchmaker but also a person who believes in second chances and the transformative power of love.

As the story unfolds, Isla’s warmth and intelligence make her increasingly endearing, not just to Rowan, but also to his daughter, Mia. Despite her professional role, Isla finds herself emotionally drawn to Rowan, and her initial mission of helping him find love becomes more complicated as her own feelings for him deepen.

Isla is portrayed as someone who is passionate about her work but also deeply compassionate, which allows her to empathize with Rowan’s fears and struggles. She has her own past heartaches, which influence her work but also help her understand Rowan’s hesitations.

Isla’s journey is one of balancing her professional ambitions with her growing personal emotions, learning that love is not just about matchmaking, but about taking risks and being vulnerable.

Mia

Mia, Rowan’s young daughter, plays a pivotal role in the story, not just in Rowan’s life, but also in Rowan and Isla’s developing relationship. Mia is an innocent, yet insightful character who acts as an unofficial matchmaker in her own right.

Her enthusiasm for Christmas and her desire to have Isla around bring an added layer of sweetness to the story. Through her interactions with Isla, Mia showcases a child’s unfiltered view of love and family, encouraging her father to open up to the possibility of romance and showing him that love is something to embrace, not fear.

Mia’s connection with Isla, especially her desire for Isla to be part of their family, subtly nudges Rowan to reconsider his guarded stance on relationships. Mia’s character adds a sense of lightness to the otherwise complicated and emotionally charged dynamics between the adults, serving as a reminder of the importance of love and connection in its purest form.

Jason

Jason is Rowan’s best friend and agent, and his role in the story primarily revolves around being a supportive, albeit somewhat pushy, figure in Rowan’s life. As someone who understands Rowan’s past heartbreak, Jason encourages him to open up to Isla’s matchmaking efforts, even if only as a way to meet new people.

Jason’s support is a steady influence, offering both a voice of reason and a touch of humor throughout the story. Though he plays a secondary role, Jason’s presence is crucial in Rowan’s emotional journey.

His gentle prodding helps Rowan to see the value in taking risks and trying again when it comes to love. Additionally, Jason’s relationship with Isla, as her brother, gives an extra layer of complexity to Rowan’s feelings toward her, as he struggles with the idea of getting involved with his best friend’s sister.

Tyler and Miles

Tyler and Miles, Rowan’s teammates, serve as the comic relief and the driving force behind Rowan’s reluctant participation in the Nutcracker Auction and other holiday activities. Their unwavering love for Christmas and their insistence on dragging Rowan into these festive events highlight their contrasting personalities with Rowan.

Though they don’t play major roles in the romantic arc, their influence is significant in shaping Rowan’s reluctance to embrace the holiday spirit and, by extension, the possibility of love. They push Rowan out of his comfort zone, helping him to experience moments of joy and connection that ultimately challenge his hardened views on relationships.

Themes

Love and Vulnerability

In Merry Little Kissmas, love emerges as a transformative force, especially in how it dismantles emotional walls and fosters vulnerability. Rowan, initially closed off from the possibility of love, has a guarded heart due to a painful past.

His cynicism about relationships, particularly after his previous heartbreak, keeps him from embracing the idea of romance. However, Isla’s relentless optimism and belief in the power of love begin to slowly break down Rowan’s defenses.

What starts as a lighthearted matchmaking endeavor between them gradually morphs into something more profound, as Rowan is pushed to confront his own fears about emotional intimacy. The holiday season, with its emphasis on togetherness and family, becomes the backdrop against which Rowan’s hardened exterior is peeled away, allowing him to open up not just to Isla but also to the possibility of love.

As Rowan and Isla’s connection deepens, Rowan’s vulnerability surfaces, especially as he navigates his insecurities about life after hockey and the well-being of his daughter, Mia. Isla’s role as a matchmaker not only challenges Rowan’s skepticism but also showcases the tender, caring side of him that he had kept hidden for so long.

By the time they reach the point of real emotional intimacy, Rowan realizes that to love again, he must embrace vulnerability. The narrative illustrates that love doesn’t just heal emotional wounds but also empowers individuals to face their fears, making vulnerability not a weakness but a path to true connection.

This theme is underscored by the growth of Rowan’s relationship with Isla, which evolves from a professional arrangement into a deep emotional bond where both characters let go of past baggage and take the risk of opening their hearts.

Second Chances

Second chances at love play a critical role in Merry Little Kissmas, particularly for both Rowan and Isla. Rowan’s past heartbreak left him with emotional scars that made him wary of trusting others, especially in romantic relationships.

His initial resistance to Isla’s matchmaking efforts highlights his reluctance to try again after his painful breakup with Regina. Throughout the story, the concept of second chances is woven through the characters’ evolving feelings for one another, culminating in a moment of realization where Rowan recognizes that love is worth pursuing, even if it means risking emotional vulnerability again.

Isla, too, is no stranger to heartache, and her experiences influence how she approaches love and relationships. As a matchmaker, her job revolves around giving people the chance to find happiness, but her own journey with Rowan makes her confront her own fears of repeating past mistakes.

Their relationship begins as a form of “fake-dating,” a means of appeasing others and avoiding the awkwardness of being single. However, as they spend more time together, their fake relationship starts to feel real, forcing both of them to reconsider what they want out of love.

Rowan’s decision to break up with Isla, despite his growing feelings for her, serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative. His fear of getting hurt again leads him to push Isla away, but it’s through this temporary separation that he comes to understand that second chances are not only possible but necessary for growth and healing.

The eventual reunion between Rowan and Isla symbolizes the power of second chances in love, showing that even after emotional setbacks, it is possible to open one’s heart again, create new traditions, and embrace a future together.

Family and Belonging

Family and the sense of belonging are recurring themes in Merry Little Kissmas, particularly in how they shape the characters’ decisions and growth throughout the story. Rowan’s relationship with his daughter, Mia, is central to his development, as it reflects his deep care and love for his family.

Although Rowan is initially reluctant to engage with Isla due to their professional connection and his fears of romantic involvement, his love for Mia and his desire to protect her ultimately play a role in his changing perspective on love. Mia’s innocence and her genuine affection for Isla provide a contrast to Rowan’s guarded approach to relationships.

Through their interactions, it becomes evident that Rowan’s protective instincts are rooted in his fear of exposing Mia to another heartbreak, a fear that mirrors his own emotional scars.

Isla, on the other hand, comes from a family that deeply values connection and love, which influences her approach to matchmaking. Her determination to help Rowan not only stems from her professional expertise but also from her belief in the importance of creating meaningful relationships.

Over time, Isla becomes an integral part of Rowan’s family dynamic, and their growing connection expands the concept of family beyond biological ties. As Rowan and Isla continue to spend time together, including decorating the Christmas tree with Mia, the bond between them solidifies, showcasing the theme of chosen family.

The idea that family extends beyond blood relations and is defined by mutual care, support, and love is central to the narrative’s conclusion, where Rowan and Isla find a sense of belonging in one another, creating a new family unit together.

The Power of Optimism

Isla’s unwavering optimism is a driving force in Merry Little Kissmas, particularly in how it influences Rowan’s transformation. Her belief that love is worth pursuing, even after setbacks and disappointments, stands in stark contrast to Rowan’s jaded view of relationships.

Throughout the story, Isla challenges Rowan’s pessimism and encourages him to embrace the possibility of finding love again. Her persistent optimism not only fuels her matchmaking efforts but also gradually chips away at Rowan’s cynicism.

Where he sees love as a risk and something that only leads to pain, Isla sees it as an opportunity for growth and happiness.

As the story progresses, Rowan starts to recognize the value of Isla’s optimism, even as he tries to resist it. Her belief in second chances and her ability to see the potential for happiness in every person she meets provide a stark contrast to Rowan’s view of love as a fleeting and ultimately unfulfilling pursuit.

Through their interactions, Rowan learns to soften his stance and allows himself to entertain the idea that perhaps love can work for him, too. Isla’s influence ultimately shows that optimism is not naive but rather a powerful force that can change people’s lives, leading them to confront their fears and pursue the happiness they deserve.

Her persistence and positive outlook become a catalyst for Rowan’s emotional growth, illustrating the transformative power of optimism in the face of past disappointments.