Sunny is in Christmas Notch to find inspiration for her upcoming screenplay when she runs into her former one night stand, Issac. Issac just so happens to have bought the mansion in town and after some convincing Sunny agrees to stay at the mansion with him while trying to find him a new muse. Things become problematic though when they both start to realize they are falling for one another.

Overall I wanted to at least like the book but it just wasn’t for me. I’ve read the first book in the series and that one was a 3 star for me. I was hoping that since this is book 3 I’d be able to rate it higher but I just can’t.

I found the characters to be just awful. I get they have problems- but they are still written to be funny and lovable. They just make their problems everyone else’s and keep making their problems worse. It’s the type of person I’d want to just lovingly slap into reality.

The book is also “spicy” but for someone who’s read a ton of spice this just wasn’t it. Maybe a .5/5 for spice. There were so many opportunities for the spice to heat up and I felt it just fell flat.

The subplot of the book just didn’t seem super well written either and was slightly confusing.

Overall I’d be a bit upset if it was closer to Christmas and I picked this up. It left me in a huge reading slump and in a sour mood.

I do think if someone loves Christmas, or cheesy Christmas movies it would be a better fit than it was for me.

I did love the amount of cat content the book had though.

Characters: 2/5 stars
Plot: 2/5 stars
Writing: 3/5 stars
Overall: 2.75/5 stars

I LOVED this book! This was the third and final book in the Christmas Notch series. I have loved all of these. They are funny, witty, steamy, and heartfelt.

Jingle Bell Mingle followed Isaac and Sunny. Isaac was the last member of INK still single, still grieving his late wife of 5 years ago. Sunny is a bit chaotic, switching professions and homes often. They are both sequestered in Christmas Notch and suffering from writers block of sorts when they make a deal to help each other.

-Forced Proximity
-Friends with Benefits
-Former boy and member/former adult film star
-ADHD rep
-Grief of spouse/parents (in the past)

Sunny was a hot mess who made me laugh, cry and relate to her so much! “My adhd is really out for blood today!” I loved her with Isaac. I could feel the chemistry and connection between them so clearly. Isaac was so broken and lonely, he was devastating to read, but their story/friendship was beautiful! I also loved how we got a beautiful conclusion to Teddy’s, the pornographer turned wholesome Christmas movie maker, story!

First Id like to thank the Publisher and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy! After reading the first two books in this series, A Jingle Bell Mingle quickly became one of my most anticipated releases of the year. I absolutely loved this book. It was HOT. The spice started early on which I loved, and I love the relationship that Sunny and Isaac grew into. I will read anything this author duo writes! Giving this book five stars was easy - I think its my favorite of the series!

Story 3 in the Christmas Notch trilogy, with more from the quirky crew.
Isaac & Sunny are 2 broken souls living with grief of lost loved ones. Isaac has convinced himself he can never love again after losing his wife. That part of him died with her. He's removed himself from life, reclusive in his mansion on the hill in Christmas Notch. Filling his days solving crimes with his internet group of crime mystery solvers, and avoiding people in general.
Sunny lost her parents young, she truly believes connection leads to heartache. She's never been able to settle on a career, a home, or a love. Sunny's in Christmas Notch working on her screenplay, avoiding her brother. Investigating her own mystery in the process. Her name describes her persona, for public.
A previous one night stand leads to a new one night stand leads to a roommates with bennies situation.
The authors describe the story as a deranged raunch-com but it's much more. It could easily have been a smut fest, but they've written so much more. They inject a decent dose of emotion, fun and plot,
with some 'maestro-level fuckboy energy' and Mr Tumnus is a perfectly Cat cat.
These 2 are solving mysteries sure enough, just not the ones they think they are.

Sunny is struggling to write her screen play and relocated to Christmas Notch and ends up staying with Issac, a former boy band who she hooked up with once.

The story is the last of the installment and can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading them together as all the character appear in the other books.

Despite this story being predictable, I really enjoyed seeing how Issac and Sunny helped each other out. There is some heavy subject with dealing with grief and it was unexpected and well done.

This story is steamy and gets you into the holiday fun with the fun town.

Thank you @avonbooks for a copy of this book.

Will sad boy Issac finally have his second chance at happily ever after with former adult star diaper empire welding beauty Sunny? And yes, if you’re not familiar with this world that Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone created then that might sound super confusing… but to those that have stuck along for the ride, this makes a lot of sense. And what more? We’re rooting for these two! I had fun with Issac and Sunny’s story. The serious elements coupled with the humor made for a good read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

"A Jingle Bell Mingle" by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone is the perfect holiday rom-com—campy, fun, and full of heart. Set in the charming, Christmas-obsessed town of Christmas Notch, Vermont, this story brings together two wildly different characters—Sunny, a vibrant adult film actress turned screenwriter, and Isaac, a brooding former boy band star. Their one-night stand after a wedding leads to an unexpected living arrangement in Isaac’s historic mansion, and from there, their hilarious yet heartwarming story unfolds.

The book brilliantly balances humor and depth, weaving in both grumpy x sunshine tropes and the emotional journey of learning to love after loss. Isaac and Sunny, each grappling with their own creative blocks, slowly open up to one another while navigating the quirks of small-town life, Isaac’s reclusiveness, and Sunny’s infectious energy. The grumpy Isaac finds himself charmed by Sunny’s bold personality, and their friendship slowly turns into something more, with a slow-burn romance that feels natural and inevitable. And yes, the chemistry is sizzling, making their love story all the more enjoyable.

Beyond the romance, "A Jingle Bell Mingle" is packed with memorable side characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and even a little mystery. From the old lady group chat to Teddy Ray’s long-awaited proposal, the supporting cast brings additional warmth and humor to the story. It’s a delightful mix of festive cheer, touching character growth, and steamy romance, perfect for anyone looking for a heartwarming holiday read.

Read if you like:
- grumpy x sunshine
- friends to lovers
- outrageous side characters
- holiday shenanigans
- lots of SPICE and STEAM

Overall Rating: 4 stars, 3 chili peppers

*This is the 3rd book in the Christmas Notch series. While it CAN be read as a standalone, I suggest reading in order for the best reading experience!

This was fine and fun. The first in this series was definitely the best one - Merry Little Meet Cute. This was, at least, better than the last one, Holly Jolly Ever After. That one I almost hated! This one is a lot of first world issues which got a little eye-roll-y. Like sorry you need to run your parents’ diaper empire!!!

Was still fun and cute, but definitely not close to the magic of the first one in this series!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Writer's block and two slightly bruised peeps.

Sunny has writer's block.
Isaac is a young widower with writer's block (music).
These two strike up a deal to help each other out during Christmas.
I liked that Sunny was once a part time adult film star.

The first two novels in the series (A Merry Little Meet Cute and A Holly Jolly Ever After) were-and still are- going to be some holiday reads this year, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to apply for the ARC of A Jingle Bell Mingle!

Even though they are all interconnected stand-alones, I was a bit confused at the beginning because I could tell that all of the people mentioned were from the first two books, but I didn’t know them. After the first two chapters-ish I was able to figure it all out and move on!

Isaac and Sunny were hilarious together and I loved them almost immediately. The Grumpy/Sunshine trope is one of my favorites, and this one does it very well. Isaac has a perfectly good reason to be grumpy (grief, man…it sucks) and Sunny pushed his buttons just the right amount.

Isaac is attempting to write his final contract-obligated album before holing himself up in his mansion with his grief and Sunny accidentally pitched a Holiday movie to a Hallmark-type channel and now needs to write the screenplay for it. She had heard of a “Christmas Miracle” story and is in town trying to find out more info (I LOVE what the end result of that is!)

This was a great holiday read. It was hilarious and sexy, but also dealt with some more serious themes that just really made it a beautiful story. Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for letting me read the ARC of this!

This is the perfect Christmas book! The romance was so cute and their banter was top tier. I would highly recommend this book!

Authors Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone once again return us to Christmas Notch, the site of many Hope Channel Christmas movies., for Bee and Nolan's wedding. This story features Bee's bestie, Sunny, and Nolan's fellow boy bad member Isaac, who became a young widower when his wife died 5 years earlier. Sunny plans to stay in Christmas Notch in hopes of finishing her screenplay. Isaac's running from memories of his wife by buying and moving into the town's huge mansion which was also used in the movie. Sunny and Isaac have a "friends with benefits" relationship so when the less than stellar shower in her motel room starts spewing water, she takes Isaac's offer to move into his mansion.
Mother Nature and her cat, Mr. Tumnus seem to play matchmaker for these two who figure out they actually have a lot in common besides their compatibilty between the sheets. Though the Hope Channel is closely modeled after the Hallmark Channel, this quirky yet charming cast of ex-adult entertainment professionals in the Christmas Notch series bring the laughs with the heart-warming moments. I thoroughly enjoyed the fun these authors brought to these characters and their stories!

This is the best one in the series!! The main characters are a delight, the steamy bits are so steamy. The humor is so spot on and so natural throughout the book that I actually laughed out loud a bunch. I recommend this series to anyone but this last book absolutely is the crowning jewel

This whole series has been a delight! The premise of the porn industry getting mixed with the Hallmark Channel-esque Christmas movie business was an inspired idea for these three books. Add in a three person boy band all looking for love and you have three fun, sexy stories! This one probably does not function as well as a standalone. The book opens from Teddy's POV as he witnesses Bee and Nolan's wedding. He introduces us to the two protagonists of this story-Isaac (a reclusive, grieving widower) and Sunny-someone who hides her grief and insecurities under a layer of relentless sunshine. Since I'd read other books in this series, I felt immediately invested in their story. After the wedding, they have their second amazing one night stand. Afterwards, Isaac takes a look at the scummy hotel room that Sunny is living in and invites her to move into his Gilded Age era mansion. As you can imagine, they can't avoid each other even in a large house. Hijinks ensue, including with Sunny's cat Mr Tumnus. So many cute side stories and characters in this one. I also love the body positivity and sexual fluidity that are embraced in all of these stories.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest review!

Okay this gave all the cozy Christmas vibes. But add a bit of ✨spice✨. We got all our fav tropes here. Grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, only one bed in the inn, and a Christmas mystery love triangle! Not sure what other boxes need checked here. I loved reading this and falling in love with sunny and Issac. Feeling the feeling their way through baggage to build something beautiful before they saw it coming. This is everything you need in a spicy, Christmas love story.

Ugh sad boy and sunshine 🥹 a mostly 4.5 stars for me, due to sad boy’s overly sad nature at times, but really who am I to judge how someone grieves? I adored Sunny and Isaac’s messy friends-with-bennies roller coaster, and Mr. Tumnus can do NO WRONG!! I really loved getting to see more of the behind-the-scenes for Teddy, he deserves all good things. Man, was this was a steamyyy and amazing adventure!

Sunny Palmer, a part-time actress and new screenwriter, goes to Christmas Notch, Vermont, to find inspiration for her holiday movie. She ends up staying with Isaac Kelly, a former boy band star, and as they help each other with their creative struggles, their connection grows into something more.

A Jingle Bell Mingle is the final installment in the Christmas Notch series featuring Sunny and Isaac. I was super excited to hear that they would get their love story. This book can be read as a standalone, but it's more enjoyable if you read the first two as previous characters play supporting roles and their stories continue. In the earlier books, we got glimpses of who Sunny and Isaac are, but in this one, I love how Julie and Sierra really dive into their backstories and how they come together. The chemistry between Sunny and Isaac is off the charts and the book is super steamy. I also loved the quirky new side characters which really elevate the story. The mystery story of Sunny’s holiday movie inspiration was fun to see unfold. I thought that the end ending provided a satisfying conclusion to the series. If you loved the first two books, you're definitely in for a treat with this one!

I DNF'd this at 30%. It was just not for me; the plot wasn't enough for me to get past the spice. I'm willing to read a lot (and skim a lot) but this was just too much for me. It was my first time trying this author's work, and now I know they aren't for me!

I loved this book! I’m so sad for the series of Christmas Notch, Vermont stories to be finished, but this one really went out with a bang. Isaac’s sad hot boy vibes are stellar, and Sunny’s positive outlook on life helps bring him out of his recluse lifestyle and towards a beautiful life they can build together. Also, there are hot librarians. That is all. Must read, 12/10.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an e-arc!

I LOVED THIS!! Hands down my favorite book in the series, and I’m so sad this is the final book!

I will warn you now: this is not your mother’s Christmas book!

If you’re unfamiliar with the Christmas Notch series, this is a romance with plenty of fun, laughs, and most importantly, spice! This whole series focuses on workers in the porn industry, usually as they work on new projects and fall in love in the process.

I’ve been looking forward to Isaac’s book, and this did not disappoint!

Sunny is a porn maker and accidentally turned writer struggling to finish her script she sold to a Christmas film company. She didn’t even mean to seriously pitch an idea for a movie about an old holiday legend in Christmas Notch, but the channel loved her spiel and wants her to produce a script for them. She’s in Christmas Notch for her good friend’s wedding anyway, so she decided she’ll stay a couple of months to do research and hope inspiration will strike. While at the wedding, Sunny spots former boy band member Isaac. Sunny, Isaac and another member of their social circle had a great threesome in recent years, and Sunny wouldn’t mind having some fun with Isaac on her own. However, Isaac has been mourning for five years over the death of his wife, Brooklyn, so Sunny figures this was a one time thing.

Meanwhile, Isaac spots Sunny and can’t help but think about the night they shared. When the two end up together at a bar later in the evening, they find that their attraction to each other is still very much there. The two spend the night together, and Isaac is horrified by the condition of Sunny’s hotel room, which she booked for the next 2 months. Isaac convinces Sunny to stay at his mansion, making them roommates.

Sunny and Isaac end up joining forces to help each other with their projects: Isaac agrees he will help Sunny with the Christmas legend of Christmas Notch, while Sunny is determined to help Isaac find his muse so he can write music for his Christmas album. As they spend more time together, they both find it harder and harder to just be roommates.

I really enjoyed this book! I thought both characters were great, and it was so endearing to get parts of Teddy’s story too. I also really enjoyed the aspect of the Christmas Notch postman/angel legend. I recommend this to holiday novel lovers and also anyone wanting a spicy, festive read.