There’s Something About Merry had my holiday-loving heart throughout the first half of the book! It had such sweet, Hallmark Christmas movie vibes, which I LOVE. Even the character names… Merry, Holly, Nick, Noel… this didn’t bother me because of course this sweet Hallmark-like book would have fitting names!

The synopsis: “Clark Griffin and Merry Winters are determined to be friends and nothing more. But they've been anonymously flirting with each other online, and with a little Christmas magic and the help of a precocious kid, these two might just get their one wish this year.”

I loved Jace, Clark’s son. And I loved the Winters family dynamic – warm, welcoming, and not afraid to tease one another.

However, the second half of the book (and the way too descriptive spicy scenes, in my opinion) unraveled a bit for me. The plot felt pulled in too many directions, and some of the secondary characters didn’t feel developed enough. Even the ending felt a bit lacking.

Overall, if I can ignore the spicy scenes (they just didn’t fit the wholesome holiday vibe of the book to me), this was a cute read. And I would have maybe rated it 4 stars. However, as a whole, I’m going to say it’s a 3 star read for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for this advanced e-book of There’s Something About Merry by Codi Hall, in exchange for my honest opinion.

I loved this Christmas RomCom. It’s a Small Town, Single Dad, Girl Next Door, Friends to Lovers, Second Chance Romance.

This book reminded me of the movie you got mail, with the online dating and messaging . I loved Merry and Clark’s chemistry, This book was hilarious and emotional. I loved the whole family’s dynamic and banter. I loved the pop culture references the author used. I also loved Clark’s son Jace and his relationship with his dad and Merry. And the town antics that happened in Mistletoe reminded me of stars hallow in Gilmore girls, I loved it!

Totally recommend! It put me in a Holly Jolly Christmas mood.

ARC Review: There’s Something About Merry

Thanks @sourcebooks for my copy of this book - it’s out today!

The only way to read Christmas books in early September is with an ambience video playing in the background 😂 This one is definitely very heavy in the Christmas side - everyone in this book is obsessed with the holidays almost to the point of it being a little annoying.

The romance in this book was so sweet, I loved that Clark put his son first above everything and how well Merry fit into the picture and completed their little family so well. I also enjoyed how the conflict came up and was resolved early on in the story and there was no third act breakup to torture me!

This is book two in a series but can be read as a standalone. I would definitely recommend it once you’ve made it into the Christmas spirit!

Read this if you:
- Have an obsession with Christmas
- Love some good grovelling
- Have ever wanted a crocheted voodoo peen

When Clark returns to the Winters’ Christmas tree farm where he worked as a teenager, his feeling for his new bosses’ daughter also returns in full force. Merry has sworn off men for the last year but she sees something different in Clark, who she always had an eye for in high school. Clark and his son Jace fit in perfectly with Merry’s family but are they ready to finally take the leap and be together?

Sweet and nice and everything nice. This book will put you in the Christmas spirit. A grumpy/sunshine, single dad, mid twenties woman trying to make something out of her life, a family farm, a very bright and merry dog! You get the picture. This is like a hallmark movie with all the fuzzy feels; swoony hero, adorable little man and plenty of laughs and family meddling.

Thank you Codi Hall, Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a cute romance centered around Thanksgiving/Christmas. It didn't feel very Christmas-y, but that's ok. It was a very slow start for these characters. I thought there was a lot of potential to amp up the sexual tension and make the "realization" part of the book much more climactic than it was in the beginning. I loved the single dad aspect of the story. The relationship between Clark and Jace was incredibly sweet. Overall, the characters were very lovable, and this was a good, quick read.

Within the first few lines I knew I liked Merry and could relate to her and her interests. I loved how quite a few of the character names were Christmas/holiday/winter themed! I loved pop culture references in the book, the crafty things that Merry makes (read it it's so funny!) Clark is an amazing dad and a hunky woodsman who has skills with his hands (in more ways than one 😋) There is some spice but it's not the main focus in the book. The story line is so sweet and just a feel good story, Merry has an incredible family who welcomes guests and makes them feel like they belong and quite frankly I'm jealous.

If you like:
Miss communication
Single dad
Family
Christmas
Crafts
Unrequited to requited love then this is the book for you.

This is a standalone with interconnected characters from Nick and Noel’s Christmas Playlist. I haven’t read Nick & Noel’s and didn’t feel lost at all. Merry’s story is a cute and sweet holiday romance, mostly closed door, with a next door neighbor/single dad situation.

Merry works on her family’s Christmas tree farm. She wants her dad to show her the ropes so she can take over the farm when he retires, but when he hires a foreman, Clark, Merry thinks her dad just doesn’t trust her with farm operations. Even though her dad says Merry will appreciate having Clark by her side when she takes over some day, she is a little resentful of Clark. Clark is a single dad just trying to provide and build a future for his son. Clark hears Merry complaining to her sister about him and decides to keep his distance. He doesn’t have time for complications because his son Jace is top priority. But as the farm gears up for the holiday season, Merry and Clark find themselves interacting more and more, and they both start warming up to each other.

Meanwhile, Merry has decided it’s time to get back into the dating scene after a year of finding herself. She gets a message on a dating app she forgot she had set up, and after several back and forth messages, she has a little crush on this mystery “woodsman.” But she begins to suspect that the dating app guy is Clark. Will these two connect in real life and online? What happens when Jace’s mom shows up out of the blue? Will Clark and Merry find love this Christmas?

There is a LOT happening in this book… from Merry’s hilarious and unconventional side hustle, to her planning the community Christmas festival, and Clark’s brother Sam showing up unexpectedly, too. The dialogue is suuuper cheesy at times. But overall it was super cute and honestly just right on track for your typical Christmas romance. Go ahead and add this one to your holiday TBR — it’s perfect for snuggle weather!

A͙R͙C͙ R͙E͙V͙I͙E͙W͙ F͙O͙R͙ T͙H͙E͙R͙E͙'S͙ S͙O͙M͙E͙T͙H͙I͙N͙G͙ A͙B͙O͙U͙T͙ M͙E͙R͙R͙Y͙

3.5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca and Codi Hall for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I had reservations about requesting this ARC, only because it’s September and I want to enjoy fall before jumping into Christmas. But, this was a fun read and would be a perfect addition to your TBR’s for this holiday season.

The second story in the Mistletoe Romance series focuses on Merry Winters, eldest daughter of the Winters family, who has sworn off men after a bad bout of failed relationships. Her dream is to take over their family Christmas tree farm when her father retires, but instead of showing her the ropes, he hires Clark Griffin to be the farm’s new foreman. The more time they spend together causes Merry to decide to dip her toe back into the dating pool, setting up an online profile- as does Clark. As they connect both on and offline, will either of them take the chance to make this official?

This book started off slow for me, but definitely picked up steam. Unlike in Nick and Noel’s story, I felt the dialogue to be lacking of substance in this one; it seemed it attempted to be banter-like but ended up coming across more juvenile. The content redeemed this book though- it was fun and the storyline centered around family and small town life was well done. It also had one of the hotter scenes I’ve read in a while, which is both unexpected and welcomed from a Christmas romance 🙃 all I’ll say is if you’re more into clean, closed door romance scenes, this is NOT it!

If you love Hallmark movies, hot cocoa, pumpkin pie and all things Christmas, then this book is definitely for you! There’s Something About Merry hits shelves tomorrow, 9/6, so preorder it from your favorite indie bookstore ASAP! 🎄

I love Christmas Tree Farms and books based on them are some of my favorites; paired with a small town and a single dad this was a fun read. The first half felt different than the second and I felt as though there was a lot going on so some plot lines didn't get as much attention as I would have liked. Overall, this was a quick read that I enjoyed and I can't wait for Holly's book.

There’s Something About Merry was a cute holiday rom com - reminiscent of a Hallmark Christmas movie! I will say I think I liked Nick & Noel’s Christmas Playlist a little better, but this was still a solid holiday read.

My favorite aspect of this book was the found family - I loved how the Winters’ took Clark and Jace in and gave them a family they desperately needed/wanted. Clark was an amazing single dad and you could tell how much he loved and cared for his son in almost everything he did. Jace was the sweetest little kid and made me laugh out loud many times! And Merry was such a great addition to their little duo. I loved how she cared about Jace and respected Clark’s wishes when it came to his son.

I think the little “drama” toward the end was a little unnecessary and strange and the very ending was slightly abrupt, but overall I liked this one!

Thank you for the opportunity to review this new novel.

If you're looking for something Christmassy and easy to read, this one's for you. 😊

It's a cute story but it never got hold of me and pulled me in. I prefer more angst and feelings in my romances but that's me :)

This was a cute book! I loved all the Christmas details scattered throughout such as the names of the siblings, the town name, and more.

Merry and Clark’s relationship was a fun one to follow and I loved the back story of them when they were in high school.

Despite an online dating mishap, they give it a go and I LOVED how they bloomed together.

This is one of those books I’m desperately wishing was a Hallmark Christmas movie plot.

It’s back to Mistletoe, Idaho. Back to the tree farm where things heat up between Clark and Merry. I loved the messages they unwittingly were exchanging with each other. Naturally, there are a few impediments that get in the way.
The wood splitting scene is mouth watering.
It’s a charming holiday story about two people who longed for love and discovered it not too far away, just down the lane in fact.
It’s Holly’s turn next and I know which one I want her to end up with.

I wanted to read a festive, entertaining, and fluffy Christmas romance. This is perfect to escape reality and have fun.
I rooted for the characters, enjoyed the setting, and had fun.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This was such a cute and fluffy Christmas romance. I know some people think it’s to early to be reading Christmas books but I’m the type of person to read them year round with no shame.

Merry Winters is wanting to take over her family’s Christmas tree farm. When Clark, who is a single dad, starts at the farm as the new foreman, it causes some tension between them. Funnily enough, they form a connection through an online dating app anonymously and it makes the sparks fly in real life.

I really enjoyed this story. It honestly felt like watching a Hallmark movie. I do wish it could’ve been a little more Christmasy though. I really enjoyed the characters and the humor. There is some spice sprinkled in there as well.

If you’re looking for a small town, single dad, Christmas romance, I highly recommend picking this one up on September 6th!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the e-arc!

I enjoyed this Christmas romance more than the author's first in this series - I'm a sucker for epistolary stories! I particularly liked the MC being a single dad with an adorable son, Merry's crocheting side hustle, and the lovely Winters family.

What bumped the rating down for me was the tone of the messaging and texting - it seemed a little dated/old fashioned? The characters has sassier and funnier banter in person, and I felt the texting was a little dry? I couldn't feel a deep connection through the messages.

I was also really bothered by Merry's wishes being ignored by her father and Clark being the one to push it. I think I enjoy the strong independent female vibe over "the man helps me" vibe.

This book is a sweet Christmas romance and will suit people who want something light, relatively drama free, with the You've Got Mail epistolary scenario.

This author returns for a second book in Mistletoe, Idaho. Nick and Noel are still together and this romance belongs to his sister. Merry Winter's is sugary sweet and wants to be the one someday to run the family Christmas tree business. Merry’s dad hires Clark Griffin to help work the farm. He is a few years older and she knew him because he went to HS with Nick. He is now a single father of seven year old Jace. In a nod to You’ve Got Mail or The Shop Around the Corner Merry and Nick are exchanging messages over a dating app. It takes a bit to get sorted out and only after Merry knows she is starting to be attracted to Clark.

This has all the cuteness of a Christmas small town romance but I wasn’t swooning. I’m glad that the most of the immaturity that I disliked in the first book is gone. But this book has no real drama or growth moments. Hall writes fun conversations and loving, very loving and invested in your life family members but the story itself is predictable. Clark has abandonment issues that magically disappear. I really dislike that it takes Clark pulling Merry’s dad aside to tell him Merry is interested in the farm before dad takes her seriously. If she is interested shouldn’t she have been out there working and learning it herself. Jace’s mom shares an icky past situation and a scary current one and it’s all suppose to be okay because he gives her money. Even the quirky towns people didn’t bring laughs.

Jace is adorable and seems age appropriate. Merry’s puppy brings some smiles too. Merry’s side gig of crocheting peens is fleetingly funny. I wanted her to make something from it and not have it be played off as a joke and then forgotten. I honestly never felt Merry who is a great promoter and organizer got any payoff or recognition for her abilities or anything she does. If the author doesn’t take her seriously why should I? Things get steamy and again it’s played for laughs in the aftermath or in one case is dangerous. There is language too but it is toned down because Jace has a swear jar.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

(2.5 stars)

3.5

Read this book if you like: Dual POV, single dad, small town, You've Got Mail vibes, spicy 🔥

Merry Winters has the holiday blues. She's spent the last year learning to love herself, and now she's ready to find the right guy. The pickings are pretty slim in Mistletoe, Idaho. The man who catches her eye is the stoic new foreman at her family’s Christmas tree farm. Too bad he wants to keep a 39-and-a-half-foot pole between them.

Single dad Clark Griffin isn't looking for romance, but he wouldn't mind a friend to snuggle with on a cold winter's night. When he signs up for online dating, he doesn't expect to connect with the sassy, crafty Knottygirl25 and get wrapped up in every message she writes. Merry turns out to be his blind internet date, his surprise causes him to miss his chance under the mistletoe.

I enjoyed this one. I am a sucker for a single parent book. It was a cute, cozy, predictable, and somewhat spicy Hallmark type book. I did have a few issues. I was wondering who doesn't put a photo of themselves in a dating app.. I get it's needed for the plot. She even put her real mame at one point and he didn't notice. After I suspended my belief a bit I loved the concept. I enjoyed their messages to each other but it lasted too long. This book needed trimming. The spicy scenes are better in this book versus the first. Overall I enjoyed it and it gave me a cozy feeling. I recommend you grab this September 6th!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Sourcebooks Casablanca the gifted e-book!

This is the second book in the Mistletoe series. This story follows Merry, one of Nick’s sisters from her first book, Nick and Noel’s Christmas Playlist. Merry returns home to Mistletoe after having some bad luck in the relationship department.

Merry has a plan, she wants to take over her parent's tree farm once her father retires. Her father had a different plan, he hired a new foreman to run the tree farm, Clark Griffin.

Clark has also returned home to Mistletoe to start over and try to make a better life for his son, his son is such a sweetheart.

This is a perfect Christmas book to get you in the holiday spirit. The Winters family are all such kind and welcoming people that it is easy to love every character.

It was so nice to follow Merry and Clark as they fall in love.

Thanks to netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

✨🎄ARC REVIEW🎄✨

📖 There’s Something About Merry
✍️ Codi Hall
⭐️ Rating- 3.5/5

•Pub Date-9•6•2022

Thank you to NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca Publishing, and Codi Hall for this advance copy!

Something About Merry was such a fun and easy holiday read! I fell in love with the main characters, every single one! I loved all of the details the author used, I truly felt like I was at the Winters’ farm, living each experience.

My only complaints are-
🔺I wish there was a different name for the main male character. No offense to any Clarks out there, it just didn’t seem to fit the character😬
🔺The sexy parts seemed a little rushed, and jumped ahead quickly.

In the book 📕
✨Slow burn
✨Little bit of spice
✨Dual POV

I had a great time reading this novel! I hope there’s a continuation of Merry and Clark’s story in the future!