I have loved every single book in this series and this one did not disappoint. Reading this book made with wish that I lived in the fictional town of Christmas Notch. I am so sad that this series is coming to an end but I am so happy to have read this.

2.5 Stars

I’ve wavered between 2 and 3 stars for every book (and both novellas) in the Christmas Notch series, and Jingle Bell Mingle is no exception. While the premise—a quirky screenwriter and a reclusive ex-boybander teaming up to tackle their creative blocks—had potential, the execution left me wanting more.

Sunny and Isaac’s dynamic promised the kind of opposites-attract tension I love, but their chemistry felt uneven. At times, their banter sparkled, but just as often, it relied on over-the-top humor or drawn-out inner monologues that dulled the impact of their connection. The story also leaned heavily on Sunny’s chaotic cat for comedic relief—a gag that wore thin quickly.

As with the other books in the series, the spice is here and well-written, but it felt like a substitute for deeper emotional development. By the time the inevitable holiday magic kicked in, I found myself more indifferent than invested in their happily ever after.

Ultimately, Jingle Bell Mingle has its moments—some laugh-out-loud scenes, a festive atmosphere, and steamy romance—but like the rest of the series, it doesn’t quite live up to its potential. It’s a decent holiday read, but not one I’d revisit.

This one wasn’t for me, lots of spice, but it felt like the characters’ feelings for each other were mostly physical. It was a bit repetitive but did have some humorous parts.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reading copy! I have read every book in this series, and this was actually one of my favorites in the series. I enjoyed both the dynamic between Sunny and Isaac, as well as the overall charm and humor in the story. This book was sweet and funny, and also very much about finding love after grief - the grief of losing your parents and a former love interest. A lot of romances I read do this thing that drives me crazy, that if one of the MCs has lost a former love interest, they downplay the love aspect - like, “oh, I didn’t love them as much as the new interest.” This book does not do that, and I think it worked and I appreciated it. Both of the main characters were processing their grief, and I think the love story between them happened organically, sweetly, and with a funny twist - I definitely laughed out loud. I think the main reason this did not get 5 stars is it felt a little long - a theme of this year's reading for me. Overall, I recommend this book for fans of holiday romantic comedies, as well as this holiday series from Simone and Murphy.

2.5 stars.

Did not enjoy this one anywhere near as much as any of the previous titles in the series, including the novellas. The language was just a lot more vulgar or maybe it was just used a lot more than in previous books but it was gross. I was kind of annoyed with Isaac for most of the book anyway. The cute little Christmas story within the story was lovely though!

I really enjoyed the first book in this series. While the second one fell flat, I was excited by the premise of this one.

I tore through the first half - the characters were fun and sexy and nuanced. My enthusiasm slowed a bit in the second half - it just felt like the authors were trying to do too much, and as a result nothing felt as earned as it should.

I still enjoyed it, but just wanted it to be a bit tighter and focused.

This was cute! I enjoyed reading it.

I will say. I would’ve liked to have seen more depth to the characters. They just seemed a little bland overall. But the humor did make up for it quite a bit.

A Jingle Bell Mingle
Book #3 in the Christmas Notch series

Tropes:
😤☀️Grumpy/Sunshine
🛏️ Roommates to lovers
💕 Broody Heartthrob
🫶 Found Family
🐈 Ornery Cat
📸 Photo Booth spicy scene

Overall Rating 4⭐️
Steam 3🌶️
Narration 4 🎧 (Zachary Webber’s growling voice is the best)

This book opens with Sunny(FMC) and Isaac (MMC) hooking up after the wedding of their friends Bee and Nolan. This isn’t the first time they had hooked up. Two years ago they made it a threesome with Jack Hart.

Issac is still sad and broody due to the death of his young wife five years ago. He has decided to buy the historic mansion in Christmas Notch, VT and try to find a muse. He still owes his record label one more album.

The dilapidated hotel room that Sunny is staying in does not make Issac happy and he tells her that she (and her horrific cat) are moving into the mansion while she is in town serving as producer of the Christmas movie she successfully pitched to the Hope Channel. Of course, the demonic cat absolutely loves Isaac and breaks through his cranky personality.

Sunny is trying to track down the town’s folklore about the Christmas miracle of all the Christmas gifts getting delivered despite a horrific snowstorm. Legend has it that an angel helped the postal worker get everything delivered. Isaac steps in to help Sunny and uses his following online in his true crime podcast group. This group of older ladies are tenacious in tracking down all the details that they need to chase this legend.

Sunny is determined to pull Isaac from his sadness and makes a deal that he has to do holiday related activities. This deal leads them to do so many fun holiday themed adventures around town. Slowly, Isaac is getting pulled into the Christmas spirit and starts to fall for Sunny.

We also find out that Sunny is part of the diaper empire that was left to her by her parents. She is determined to make a life of her own outside of the business because that is not who she is. Her brother is relentless in trying to track her down so she will resign from the board so he can take the company public. She worries that her lifestyle and work in the porn industry will reflect poorly on the company image and is hesitant to do anything. She shares these fears with Isaac and they find another thing they can bond over. Isaac grew up with an extremely influential mother and they trade Nepo baby stories.

This book touches on so many things that people struggle with during the holiday season – grief over losing a loved one, dealing with unrealistic family expectations, and trying to find the spirit to enjoy the holiday even though it is painful.

The spice in this book is exquisite and unique – sex in a photo booth and the fact that Isaac is too impatient to get to Sunny’s sweet spot that he rips her tights for IMMEDIATE access. Isaac makes grumpy very sexy!!

The ending of this series is tied up (no pun intended) so nicely in the epilogue – Teddy Ray even has his happy ending with Steph!!

Enjoy Reading my friends! Peace ☮️ and Love ❤️

We are back with Sunny, Bee’s bestie from Very Little Meet Cute. It’s her time to lead. She finds herself signed on to write a screen play for Hope Entertainment. She’s in Vermont to flush out the story line based on this small town’s the legendary Christmas mystery miracle. Isaac, the most successful of the three INK boy band members, bought the mansion in Christmas Notch and is continuing to morn his late wife in a new location. Sunny and Isaac have a little history… in their attempt to figure out the mystery for Sunny and find a muse for Isaac they’re about to get even closer.

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go back to Christmas Notch after book 1- the spice was spicing and it’s not my genre of choice- buuuut I got this one as an #advancedreaderscopy from @netgalley and @avonbooks and wanted to finish it.

I actually liked this one so much more. The Christmas mystery and the relationship between Sunny and Isaac was so good. I actually regretted not reading 1.5, 2, and 2.5. I love a good series with rich and colorful characters and this series lacked none of that. Each character was so much fun to get to know. If you’re reading. Read in order- the connections will make more sense that way.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

#2024bookchallenge124of75
#netgalley
#jinglebellmingle

A Jingle Bell Mingle is the newest book in the Christmas Notch series and I’ve honestly had such a good time with this series! They’re centered around the holidays, bring the cheer and the spice (think hallmark with ALL the steam and adult films), the characters have emotional depth, the cast of side characters is the best, and they’re just a fun time!

This one we follow Sunny and Isaac and get all the forced proximity as they become roommates! We get to see a lot of the other couples and characters throughout the series make appearances which was so fun! Another solid addition to the series! I'm truly sad this is the final installment!

I feel like I need to preface this by saying that I LOVE holiday romance books. There's something so cozy about them that makes me just want to curl up in front of a fire...but that may not be the best idea with this one because it was spicy!!
In addition to the (very fun) spice, there were also a lot of sweet moments with a ton of heart. There was so much under the surface of the book about grief, moving forward after loss, and grappling with the guilt that comes along with that, as well as dealing with complicated family dynamics. I think it was so well done and you could feel that a lot of care was taken with those more difficult subjects and ensuring they were given the space they deserved.
However, my one complaint is that there were a lot of side stories that made the book feel quite busy at some points. Despite this, I LOVED Sunny and Isaac, and their dynamic, and I still really enjoyed the book. I also loved going back to the Christmas Notch series one more time! If you are looking for a spicy and sweet holiday read, I'd definitely recommend picking this one up.

Finally, thank you to Avon, Julie Murphy, Sierra Simone, and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest feedback!

A Jingle Bell Mingle is the third novel in this series, and a trip to Christmas Notch is a holiday must for me. I recommend reading the previous books first, so you get to know all the characters as the books go along.

In this edition, we follow Sunny, as she seeks inspiration for her script for the Hope Channel. She moves to Christmas Notch and
after a one-night stand with Isaac, a former boy band member struggling to move on after the death of his wife, they end up living together. From there, the two find it hard to deny their attraction.

This book is spicy, and I loved every
second of it! I think Sunny and Isaac's love story was my favorite of the series. They
had so much to overcome and were able to work through grief together in such a beautiful way.

I'm so sad to see this series end. I adored Christmas Notch. It was the perfect small town, and it was hilarious with all of the naughty little things sprinkled throughout.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

*I saved this book to read during the holiday season, so I apologize for the later review*

I'm so sad this is the last book in the Christmas Notch series! I didn't love it quite as much as the previous books, but it was still a fun and spicy read for December.

Sunny is trying to write a screenplay about a local Christmas Notch legend. Isaac is still grieving the death of his wife and trying to write an album. They end up having a one night stand, and then rooming together as Sunny's hotel room is a piece of trash, and Isaac is staying in a huge mansion. Isaac helps Sunny solve the mystery so she can finish her screen play and Sunny helps Isaac live a little again.

Can I just say that Sunny's cat, Mr. Tumnus, was probably the best character in this book? He was epic. I loved Isaac too, actually, and was happy that he was able to get some sort of spark back into his life.

The local legend really intrigued me - I love how that was intertwined into the plot. And Isaac's online group of friends were the best!

3.5 stars

✨ Review ✨ A Jingle Bell Mingle by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

Thanks to Avon and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

This third (and final?) addition to this porn stars and pop stars Christmas Notch series was the best yet.

Things I loved:
🎄 the grumpy/sunshine vibe between broody boy band Issac and the aptly-named Sunny
🎄 Sunny's demonic cat that Isaac falls in love with
🎄 Isaac living in the wildly gigantic over-the-top manor house featured in so many of Christmas Notch's movies
🎄 the historical mystery Isaac and Sunny are solving together
🎄 the hot librarians // the general bi-attraction vibes throughout
🎄 the way that both Sunny and Isaac are able to push past creative blocks to work together in their scriptwriting and music
🎄 the full cast of Murphy/Simone's characters coming together to resolve their stories, esp Teddy Ray Fletcher
🎄 the love that radiates throughout this book + all of the Christmas joy :)

This was just a fun romance filled with the characters and ambience these authors have been building from the first book. A++

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: f/m contemporary romance (bi-rep)
Setting: Christmas Notch, Vermont
Pub Date: September 24, 2024

Read this if you like:
⭕️ holiday romances
⭕️ sunshine-broody grumpiness
⭕️ Christmas Notch series

thanks Avon for my gifted copy. I read the first two in this series and and while they were spicy, it was entertaining. This third book in the series had zero plot and I really just couldn’t finish

Super spicy and laugh out loud moments! I loved the chemistry between the two leads. Anytime I’m back in Christmas Noch is a good time for me.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 strictly for bi representation and the chaotic cat.

This book is SPICY. Nothing I couldn't handle, but just a warning! There's a lot to love about this book from the found family to the sex positivity.

I think what was missing for me was THERAPY. Both characters were suffering from trauma that they should have been in longterm treatment for. And I felt at times the MMC weaponized his grief against the FMC... and I was like 🚩🚩🚩.

I normally can't stand a sad boi, but in this case I understood his pain, of course I just hated how someone with his means isn't in therapy for it. Felt very strange to me!

3⭐️ I really liked this book and was into it in the beginning and love how it ended but idk smth put me off and it took me a month to finish this book. Nonetheless it was a cute spicy holiday read.

Thank you Avon or Harper Voyager for the ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

I loved “A Merry Little Meet Cute” which was the first book in this series, but liked “A Holly Jolly After” a little less, but this third book, “A Jingle Bell Mingle” was so very perfect in all pieces and aspects! I did not want to put this one down! The third and final (sad) book in this series ends with the third band member (Isaac) and one of the band member’s wife’s best friend’s (Sunny) are brought back together for their friends wedding. It’s a full adventure full of tropes, muses, and a 1944 love triangle! So good! Highly recommend reading during the holiday season!

This was my favorite of the series! The characters were really likeable and it had some more depth to the usual rom-com with the added themes of grief. Even so, it still managed to also be lighthearted and humorous. I really enjoyed this one!