Julie and Sierra wrote a truly unhinged but lovely holiday romance.

Isaac Kelly is a former boy band member who has been existing in his Sad Boy bubble since his wife passed away. He lost his muse and can’t write music and he has completely isolated himself from everyone.
Sunny Palmer is a part-time actress, one-time adult film director, makeup artist, <spoiler> diaper dynasty heir</spoiler> who has somehow successfully pitched a movie to the Hope Channel but now has to actually write the screenplay.

When both end up in Christmas Notch for their friends’ wedding, through a series of romance events, Isaac invites Sunny and her cat to join him in the town’s historic mansion. Hijinks ensue, but also a deep meaningful connection between Sunny and Isaac.

I found this story and its characters to be delightful. It’s a sexy romp that also provides a nuanced and thoughtful discussion of the grief and how we process it. But also ripped tights, gingerbread lotion (iykyk), proposals and Mr. Tumnus wrapping everyone around his finger.

3.75!!! also recommend reading the first two books prior to this one for the best experience!! we have an opposites attract, grumpy x sunshine, christmas novel!!

Another Sierra Simone-Julie Murphy gem. A Jingle Bell Mingle follows the spicy hijinx of former boy band heart-throb/widower Isaac and adult film star turned script writer Sunny as they investigate the origin of a Christmas Notch legend. Whilst uncovering the truth (and hidden secrets) of Christmas Notch lore, Isaac and Sunny have to learn to navigate the grief they have both been carrying with them. A Jingle Bell Mingle is a satisfying ending to our journey to Christmas Notch, VT.

I impatiently wait each year for these books to come out and this year's installment of Christmas notch romance did not disappoint! So fun, loved the setting up Isaac to find his muse plot, perfect!

I read the first 2 books in this trilogy., so I figured it would be a slam dunk that I’d like this one. I was disappointed. Shortly into the book, I realized this wasn’t for me. The side tangent plot lines and hijinks just didn’t land well this time around.

I liked A Holly Jolly Ever After. I liked A Merry Little Meet Cute as well. I was really hoping to like A Jingle Bell Mingle. After all, what is not to like about a steamy Christmas romance with a plus-sized main character.
Unfortunately, whether from my having already read two book by this author, or from just plain not being in the mood, I was really let down by A Jingle Bell Mingle. In the books defense, I knew by 10% of the way through the book that this might not be the one for me.
From “that wet squeeze of a cunt” on one page to missing his dead wife on the next, Isaac’s characterization was really jarring to me from the get go. I would be willing to give Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone another go in the future, but this one was a miss for me.

-opposite attract
-grympy sunshine
-christmas

This is the third book in the series A Christmas Notch. It is a delightful and funny holiday romance novel. The characters, Sunny and Isaac, are well-developed and relatable. It was enjoyable to see the characters from the first two books make appearances in this one.

The book is quite lengthy, but it is necessary to wrap up all the loose ends from the previous books.

When a casual flirtation develops into something more profound than a one-night stand, Sunny finds herself in a predicament. She is staying in a dilapidated room with a faulty heating system. After a passionate night with Isaac, he generously offers her the use of his spacious home while she is in Vermont. Little do they know that their connection will extend beyond physical intimacy, leading them to support and comfort each other through their personal struggles.

This is not merely a lighthearted holiday romance; it delves into deeper themes. Both Isaac and Sunny grapple with complex issues related to death and loss. As they navigate their emotions and confront their pasts, they discover the true meaning of love and companionship in the face of adversity.

Overall, this book provides a satisfying conclusion to the series. The story and characters are engaging, and the exploration of deeper emotional themes adds depth to the narrative.

The first two in this series are so heartwarming and wonderful, I own them in hardcovers and they're part of my Christmas decorations and required christmas reading every year. I was absolutely gobsmacked to receive this eARC and cannot wait to buy a hard copy to add to my Julie Murphy + Sierra Simone christmas collection. What fun stories with spice, holiday vibes, and cozy atmospheric settings. I'm such a huge fan and so thankful to have gotten to read and enjoy this wonderful romance.

Thank you to Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I'm so sad that this series is over! I've really enjoyed the time I've been able to spend in Christmas Notch with its delightful rotating cast of adult film stars and directors, former boy band icons, Hope Channel cast and crew, and quirky locals. Our female lead is Sunny Palmer, adult film actress/director/makeup artist and best friend to Bee from the first book in the series, who has managed to accidentally sell a script to the Hope Channel about a very romantic Christmas Notch legend involving a mailman, an angel, and an isolated cabin. The male main character is Isaac Kelly, the last unattached member of former boy band INK, who has been in deep mourning for his late wife for years and is just trying to focus on recording the last album required by his contract and then going back to his home in Malibu and his hermit-like lifestyle. He and Sunny had a threesome that was alluded to in one of the earlier books, and they happen to match again on a dating app during the reception of Bee and Nolan's wedding, where they decide to go for another one-night stand. Sunny is staying in a truly disgusting motel in Christmas Notch and Isaac manages to convince her to come stay in the huge mansion he bought and is in the process of renovating. This book is, if possible, even spicier than the first two, or maybe it just feels that way because these two have such a major spark so quickly in the story. They decide to help each other - Isaac needs help finding a new muse to write his last album and Sunny needs someone to help her stay on track to get her screenplay written. Of course they are SUPER into each other but both dealing with a lot of stuff (mostly related to grief/bereavement) and they struggle with this arrangement. I loved their friendship and their intense attraction, and I also really loved Sunny's cat Mr. Tumnus. A fitting end to the series (with so many cameos from beloved characters). Also, there are some very hot librarians, which I appreciated!

This book was an ARC from NetGalley. This is the third main book in the series following the final member of INK. This book made sure to bring as much spice as the previous stories, but was missing some true staples that made the previous books more enjoyable. First, this story didn't involve the crazy, entertaining band of characters that brought some zany humor until the final third of the book. Additionally, this story did not center around filming a movie in Christmas Notch, so a lot of the comical settings and scenes involving "remaking" classic Christmas stories into their After Dark brand that were staples in the other books, were not present. The story felt slow, and several cycles of will they won't there. It was an enjoyable return to Christmas Notch, but not my favorite of the series. #netgalley #avon #christmasnotch #ink #happliyeverafter

I must say, my expectations were low coming into this book. I have read the rest of the series and didn't really love them. The novellas were very cute, though. Sierra Simone is one of my all-time favorite authors, but these books were just far from what I've come to expect from her.

Then comes A Jingle Bell Mingle. I feel like Murphy and Simone really hit their stride with this one! It had me feeling ALL the emotions, and I absolutely adored it. It was funny, sexy, emotional, heartbreaking, and immensely beautiful. I loved the side characters, the cold-case-esque storyline, and Sunny and Isaac were EVERYTHING.

I hope Murphy and Simone do more like this one. It was a beautiful ending that really outshone the ones before it.

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 Apparently inns have a pattern of being full around Christmas time and this one took a hilariously different turn than the original story we know! A hilarious hodge podge cast of characters makes for a read that will have your cheeks hurting from laughter and merriment. A Jingle Bell Mingle is an untraditional holiday take that will brighten your season and keep you turning the pages furiously!

Review is on Goodreads and will be posted on instagram closer to publication date and on Amazon when published!

Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone have combined their steamy, witty, and creative powers to release a book that's on fire with extra hotness that hits the roof! Whoop! Too hot to handle, but I'm always up for a challenge!

We’re returning to a small town in Vermont, with a Christmas setting and two blazing characters: an adult film actress/one-time movie director/make-up artist/new screenwriter whose project is bought by Hope Channel (like many in the industry, she juggles multiple roles) and Isaac Kelly, a former band boy, now depressive, sullen, still hot but heartbroken, living in the town's historic mansion. Their common ground: creative blocks that stop them from progressing in their jobs. Another big common ground: the legendary threesome they experienced and never forgot two years ago.

A great part of the book's opening is witnessing the first book’s legendary characters, Bee and Nolan, through Teddy Ray Fletcher’s POV as he attends their wedding. Sunny and Isaac’s paths cross that weekend as guests, leading to shameless flirting that turns into another steamy one-night stand in Sunny’s dilapidated hotel room, which could double as a North Pole movie set with its terrible heating, insulation, and wiring system.

When Isaac discovers the room’s horrible condition, he invites Sunny to stay at his mansion during her time in Vermont. What harm can be done when two people share a massive place with numerous rooms, each having their own little corners to get lost in? Isaac's theory is they will barely see each other, so why not help a hot friend who already had two unforgettable one-night stands?

This arrangement might help them destroy their creative blockages. Sunny can be inspired by the Christmas spirit of Vermont, and Isaac can finally find his muse to write and compose more memorable songs.

The grumpy and the sunshine start living under the same roof without thinking about jingle-mingling, but how long can they resist their attraction when they already know the pure passion they share?

This is absolutely another entertaining sequel of this humorous, spicy series! If you enjoyed the first two books, don't skip this one, which promises extra fun and steamy scenes with high chemistry between the main couple! You can also devour it as a standalone without diminishing the fun level.

The opposite attracts, the grumpy meets sunshine tropes blended in a steamy romance and Christmas spirit perfectly. The duo set the chapters on fire and made the readers hyperventilate in a good way! Highly recommended as a unique holiday book for those who enjoy spice and a creative sense of humor!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for sharing this spicy holiday romance’s digital review copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

A Jingle Bell Mingle
by Julie Murphy, Sierra Simon
Pub Date: Sept. 24, 2024
Thanks to the authors, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Murphy and USA Today bestselling author Sierra Simone who gave us A Merry Little Meet Cute comes a new holiday rom-com—’tis the season for second chances!
I received an eARC of A Jingle Bell Mingle without realizing that it is the third and final installment of the A Christmas Notch series. I highly recommend reading the first two books before reading this book. I was definitely playing catch up with the cast of characters (that’s on me though, I plan on reading the first two books now that I’ve read this one). I have read one of the books, but it was a while back.
Sunny and Isaac are great together. I really liked their relationship, but I wish they would’ve admitted it sooner. That would be my only complaint. Everything else was great. There are some more serious emotions and topics, which just add to the depth of the characters. This book wraps everyone up so nicely. In a beautiful bow. It was a fun, enjoyable Christmassy read.

Just as a note this is part of a series and is book 3, HOWEVER I did not read the first 2 and felt like it's not really necessary. The only part that truly made me wonder what was going on was how the book started like it left off from something, and I realized then that it was part of a series. But the book does a great job at explaining the characters and how they know each other that I never once felt I needed to go back to the first 2 before I read this one.

The book follows 2 perspectives, that of the FMC, Sunny and the MMC, Isaac. Sunny is a part time port star, makeup artist, and now newly screenwriter who has come to Christmas Notch for a wedding and stayed to work on her story. Isaac on the other hand has moved to Christmas Notch to live alone and away from everyone he knows to hide after the death of his wife 5 years ago, while also trying to work on a Christmas album. Both characters have issues they need to work out but find each other quickly becoming roommates with benefits. The storyline and character development was great throughout the whole book, although I secretly wish we would have gotten the realization for both of their feelings towards each other earlier in the book I did thoroughly enjoy it.

Thanks to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyage for the ARC in exchange for my own opinion.

A Jingle Bell Mingle was a really fun conclusion to the Christmas Notch series. If you want a spicy Christmas romance, the authors once again delivered! I was happy to see Isaac happy after all this time.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

A fun and enjoyable addition to a Christmas book series I adore!
I loved finally digging into Sunny’s character and the deep emotions that we explored with this pairing. Spice was exquisite as always from this author pair.

I love a good holiday novel to put me in a good mood. I was confused when I starred reading because I did not realize that this was the last book in a series. There are some series that I feel you can get into pretty easily without reading them in order. This was not one of those novels for me. That is my fault though for not realizing it was not a standalone. The book was a little long for me, but I am assuming it is because all the storylines from the series were being wrapped up. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I read the 2 before. If you are a fan of the first two books, I think you will really enjoy the spice and humor, humor, and feel good moments in this story.

Thanks NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Such a cute Christmas holiday book. Super fun and easy read that I simply enjoyed. I definitely thought this book was great. Good character development and plot throughout. Highly recommend this next installment of meet cute and Christmas vibes.

I was a little confused when I started reading this book, but only because I had not read the first two in the series. I should have done that first. Overall, I enjoyed this story and now have to go read the other two! Thanks for this ARC!