I love this series, and I'm sad that this is the last book. I think that the characters are so fun. I also loved books that are in the same universe, but shift who the main characters are. I'm so happy that each of the boy band members of INK received their happy endings...pun implied!

Sad Boy Issac and Sunny (the literal prefer grumpy/sunshine trope) are probably my favorite couple from the Christmas Notch series. Fun, silly, spicy, Christmasy, a little sad, and with the usual amazing side characters. This whole series has been so fun to read. And of course Teddy remains the story that I love the most throughout all 3 books.

Sunny Palmer--an experienced adult actress/director/makeup artist--has accidentally sold her very first screenplay to the Hope Channel.

Isaac Kelly, former boy band heartthrob and the saddest boy in the music biz, is the latest owner of the town’s historic mansion where he can write his first holiday album in peace.

But after their best friends’ wedding leads to them waking up together in a freezing motel room, Isaac takes a chance and asks Sunny to stay with him at his historic home. But when the two discover they’re both creatively blocked, they make a handshake deal: Isaac will help Sunny hunt down the truth behind the local lore, and Sunny will find Isaac a new muse. This is a spicy holiday story that is the third one in the series-A Christmas Notch.

The, what I believe is, conclusion to the Christmas Notch series was nothing short of a good time. If you haven't read the other two books in the series, I would recommend trying those out before jumping into this one, as there are a lot of overlapping characters. Reading the others first, while not necessary, just makes it that much better. You get to know the characters and care for them, just like you're apart of the friend group. The friend group that consists of former boyband mates and adult film stars who've started starring in Hope After Dark movies (aka spicy Hallmark), what a combo you didn't know you needed in your life.

This book follows Isaac and Sunny, two who are acquainted with one another in a one-night-threesome-stand kind of way. When they cross each others paths once again, Isaac offers Sunny a place to stay since she was in a bad run-down motel in town and he happens to own the big mansion used for filming. In taking up his offer, Sunny and Isaac soon find themselves in a writer's block conundrum, while Sunny is supposed to be writing the newest Hope After Dark film, Isaac is supposed to be penning the newest Christmas bop. Both are struggling for inspiration and decide to help each other out. Sunny vows to find Isaac a new muse for his song, while he promises to help dig up dirt about a local legend that Sunny is basing her new movie on. The only problem is the tension they once held that one night so long ago quickly comes back, and you know what they say about opposites attracting...

Overall, this was a good read that wraps up this friend group's love stories. It was an easy read, but seemed a bit long for what it was. I think if it had been paired down, it would've had a better pace. With that being said, it was still enjoyable and very spicy, just like the others in the series. Definitely pick this one up if you're looking for a spicy Christmas romance this holiday season!

I know people rave about The Christmas Notch series, but unfortunately, I've read a few of them now to realize that this series is just not for me. While I LOVE a steamy romance, this series is just so silly and inane that I found myself wishing for a way out. Thanks, but no thanks! Will stick Simone's darker, forbidden contemporary romances.

This third book in a series is a steamy opposites attract rom rom com that takes place during the holiday season. This was a cute quick read.

Love love love

This quirky sweet story was wonderful. I love to read these authors. It makes me smile , laugh and warms my heart

A snowy Christmas setting? A forced proximity trope? Familiar and well loved characters? That’s the recipe for A Jingle Bell Mingle, and I absolutely adored it! The third installment in the Christmas Notch series focuses on Sunny Palmer and recluse INK member, Isaac Kelly. Sunny and Isaac end up as roommates in Isaac’s Vermont mansion after Sunny’s hotel mishap in Christmas Notch. While they are staying together, sparks fly while inspiration strikes in their respective careers.

I thought this book was an absolutely adorable, albeit a pretty spicy, romance. It was such a fun and light holiday read. As mentioned earlier it is the third book that is set in Christmas Notch, Vermont. I particularly enjoyed the setup of this series as a whole. I really like a series that focuses on different individuals in the same universe. Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone did a particularly good job giving different characters their own books while furthering the development of the characters and series as a whole. While characters would come to the front and fade to the background, I still felt as though I was getting parts of the others’ stories as they moved throughout the series. I also think it made sense that INK’s recluse, Isaac, was the third in the series to get his second happy ending (No spoilers! Read the books to find out what I mean here).

I particularly enjoyed the fact that this book focused on Isaac and Sunny. These two characters are a really interesting matchup with their differing personalities, but they absolutely worked and the characters had so much chemistry together. Chemistry, that I’ll add, didn’t feel forced or fabricated. The relationship that was built between the two throughout the book just made sense. I also thought that the authors’ choice to make the characters connect more deeply through their respective work was a particularly unique choice, but that gave them an extra element of connection that might not have been built in a different setting. I additionally liked the forced proximity in this book. This can sometimes be a little clumsy or overdone with some romances, but the fact that these characters genuinely liked each other made the trope work a lot better for me.

The pacing of the story was really good as well. This was not a short book, but it didn’t feel like a long book. The story never really slowed down, nor did it feel like it was being rushed. There were enough different elements of Isaac and Sunny’s story as well as the stories of the secondary characters to make the length and pacing feel completely appropriate.

It almost goes without saying here that the setting is absolutely precious. I love, love, love Christmas Notch, Vermont. The series starts out with what’s essentially a riff on the Hallmark Channel Christmas movies, and it really leans into the Christmas setting. The fact that the authors chose to focus each book in the series in the town made Christmas Notch that much more special, in my opinion. I really couldn’t imagine these books working as well with any other primary setting.

Overall, I loved A Jingle Bell Mingle, as well as the whole Christmas Notch series. I would, and do, recommend these for romance lovers that don’t mind a lot of spice in their books. This book was a fun and light holiday read that I will recommend to others and will likely reread myself during a future holiday season. I want to thank Avon and Harper Voyager for providing a copy of A Jingle Bell Mingle to me via NetGalley for review. Any opinions offered in this review are mine alone.

Well this quote starting a book is interesting. The past few years I have gotten the pleasure of reading Murphy and Simone and they haven’t let me down yet. The story of the three boys of INK and the saucy women they fall in love with are such a pleasure to read about. Isaac’s loss blinds him to what he has in front of him with Sunny and Sunny doesn’t think that she is good enough to be anyone’s muse. They are both so obviously head over heels for each other but can’t let go of their pasts to make their relationship happen. The shenanigans and spice that happens as they make their way towards their happy ending - bahahaha- is fantastic and such a fun read!

This was such a cute book to read for the holidays! A Jingle Bell Mingle is a fun, festive romance that really got me in the holiday spirit. The story is lighthearted, with plenty of Christmas cheer, charming characters, and the perfect setting of a holiday party where sparks fly. The chemistry between the main characters is sweet, and while the plot isn’t anything too mind-blowing or surprising, it’s exactly what you’d expect from a cozy holiday read.

The romance is cute and satisfying, though it felt a little predictable at times. I would have loved a bit more depth in the character development, but honestly, this novella is all about embracing the holiday magic and light, feel-good fun. It’s the kind of book you can curl up with on a cold winter’s day and enjoy without any heavy emotional weight.

If you’re looking for a quick, sweet escape that’ll leave you with a smile, A Jingle Bell Mingle is perfect for getting into the holiday mood.

I first found Sierra Simone through her incredible Priest series, then I found Julie Murphy through her Christmas Notch series with the incredible Sierra Simone, and I'm so glad! They've essentially made a book that's like drinking a cup of hot cocoa while cozying up in a Vermont cabin during the best time of year (aka winter).

This one tugged at the heart strings even more than the last (in the absolute best way). Sunny is an absolute delight, and brought a new light to Isaac's (our sad and angsty but lovable hero) life. Their banter is hilarious, their chemistry is steamy, and their love is heart warming.

While this book is obviously a holiday/Christmas love story, I firmly believe you can enjoy it at any time of the year when looking for a spicy, sappy, lighthearted romance!

I LOVE the Christmas Notch series! This 3rd installment of the series was fun - what is not to love about an old boy band member that just wants to live his life in solitude... but can't because of a "Hope Channel" movie being filmed. All of my favorite characters were back and I LOVED the internet sleuth ladies who gave Isaac advice. The story was well paced and really fun.

Julia and Sierra have done it again! This wasn't my favorite of the series, but it made me continue to love the people of Christmas Notch. The relationship fell a little into the "JUST TALK ALREADY!" trap for me, but they always do a good job of getting the couple out of that rut.

I really enjoyed the other two books in this series, but this one was not for me. I didn’t connect with the characters and I did not feel that Isaac and Sunny had chemistry.

What a cute Christmas novel! I really enjoyed this book it was cute and uplifting with a great amount of spice

I loved the first book of the series so I was excited to read A Jingle Bell Mingle. This book has some good laugh-out-loud moments but also balanced it with emotional moments. Overall I enjoyed this book but the first one is still my favorite.

Hold onto your mistletoe, folks! A Jingle Bell Mingle whisks us back to the enchanting town of Christmas Notch, Vermont, where Sunny Palmer—a multifaceted talent juggling roles as a part-time adult film actress, makeup artist, and fledgling screenwriter—finds herself in a festive conundrum. Facing a looming deadline for her debut screenplay sold to the wholesome Hope Channel, Sunny returns to the town's snowy embrace, seeking inspiration from its famed Christmas miracle. Enter Isaac Kelly, a brooding former boy band sensation turned recluse, aiming to compose his first holiday album within the cozy confines of his historic mansion. Both Sunny and Isaac are grappling with personal loss, their creativity stifled by lingering grief. A chance (or perhaps fate-fueled) reunion at their best friends' wedding leads to an unexpected proposition: when Sunny is stuck with a truly terrible room at the local inn, Isaac steps in and offers her—and her mischievously "demonic" cat—a far more comfortable place to stay. What could possibly go wrong when these two creatively blocked opposites share a roof?

Murphy and Simone craft a tale that’s as spicy as a spiked cinnamon whiskey cider—sweet, bold, and with a definite burn! The chemistry between Sunny and Isaac crackles like a yule log fire, delivering a narrative that's both heartwarming and undeniably steamy. Their shared struggles with grief and the journey to rediscover their muses add emotional weight and depth to this festive romp. However, a word to the wise: this isn’t a Hallmark movie. The explicit content is prominent throughout, making it hard to avoid or easily skip over.

I’m giving A Jingle Bell Mingle a festive 4 out of 5 stars! It’s a delightful blend of humor, heart, and holiday spice that left me both blushing and cheering for our dynamic duo. If you’re in the mood for a Christmas story that’s equal parts naughty and nice, this one should definitely be on your holiday reading list. Just maybe keep it out of the reach of curious kiddos and conservative friends and book club members!

I LOVED Book one of this series. Book two had a twist that I was not a fan of but the writing and the characters continued to be enjoyable.

Book three is also fun! Holiday reads can be very hit or miss for me, but Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone have nailed the perfect balance!

Love this world and these characters.

In the third and final Christmas Notch novel, we see the third and final member of an infamous boyband, Isaac finding love with former adult performer and now screenwriter, Sunny. Isaac is trying to write music again after his young wife's death, and Sunny is struggling to finish the screenplay she promised the Hope Channel six months ago. The two band together and hunker down in Isaac's mansion in an attempt to get some words on pages, but the chemistry between them is certainly an added distraction.

This has been a fun little series. I love the irreverent, adult take on sweet holiday romance, and interesting insight into the adult entertainment industry. The authors know how to do spice, and do it well, and also bring great plus-size rep. But my favorite parts of these books are the little sneak peaks into producer Teddy and agent Steph's relationship and I'm deeply saddened that they don't get their own book.

Thanks to Avon for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4 stars - 8/10

DNF at 40%. I am no longer interested in these authors and I no longer support them. The book wasn't holding my attention and I didn't care about the charactersl