This book is both delightful and sexy as all hell. There are so many relatable things that both Kalimantan & Winnie are dealing with. Purity culture, oppressive religious community, being labeled a specific way, and being an adult the way you want to.
Winnie is a just perfection. So much of her life was dictated and she was stuck in a box. She was judged harshly for things that men are patted on the back for. It ruined the life she had.
Kallum is a good time. That’s his job. Sure he’s built a successful pizza place but he’s also known as the guy who bones a bridesmaid at a wedding and then she gets married next. He’s all action not much thought.
These two were amazing together. Throw in the soft core Christmas movie and then s book is just great from start to finish.
And it asks the age old question, ““Why sit on Santa’s lap when you could sit on his face?”

This is another collab between Rom Com author Julie Murphy and erotic romance author Sierra Simone. Former boy band member Kallum and former good girl actress Winnie reunite for a steamy Christmas movie. Both characters bring past issues to the table and must work through them if they are to have a merry christmas together.

This gingerbread cookie of a book is the perfect blend of sugar and spice. Former boy-band member turned pizza magnate Kallum is not allowed to fall for his formerly pious co-star Winnie, who is trying to redefine herself after a messy divorce…but when Winnie confesses she doesn’t know how to fake the love scenes because she’s never actually had an orgasm. How can Kallum NOT help her out?

It turns out the two had their own merry-little-meet-cute a decade ago, when being caught alone with a rock star was enough to tarnish Winnie’s pristine reputation and create a scandal for the young girl who’d taken a not-til-marriage pledge. All grown up, both are starring in a smutty softcore Christmas movie for Hope After Dark, and the film is being produced by porn king (who readers will remember from the previous book). Even instructional scenes are super-hot, and all the fun is rounded out by a load of vulnerability: scars from being in the spotlight at a young age; Kallum’s dad bod, self-acceptance, and angsting over his looks and his reputation; Winnie’s struggles with purity culture, managing her narcolepsy, and her estrangement from her judgmental parents.

I don’t purchase a lot of hardcovers, but after reading Merry Little Meet Cute last year, I treated myself to a copy and will purchase this in hardcover as well, because Julie Murphy and Sierra Simon are a writing powerhouse of funny situations and creative scenarios knit together with whiplash fast dialogue, complex protagonists, animated supporting characters and humor, humor, humor. Allusions to plot points and characters from Merry Little Meet Cute won’t necessarily lose readers who have not read other Christmas Notch books, but it certainly adds to the experience if they have.

I received a free advance reader’s review copy of #AHollyJollyEverAfter from #NetGalley.

I enjoyed returning to Christmas Notch. I have a weird spot for Hallmark Xmas movies, and I want the realistic and spicer version of Hope Channel After Dark (remember when Oxygen had After Dark shows? I have aged myself in this review - oh well). While Sierra Simone took the reigns and brought in a lot of elder millennial quirks (thank you) and the effects of purity/evangelical church culture into the storyline, I wasn’t aware that I would get romance and therapy in a book. I understood why recovering from that culture is hard, even when you have been out of it for a while.

You got a boyband heartthrob (insert any real-life boyband boy), Kallum Lieberman from INK, and your Candance Cameron alike in Winnie Baker, whose now tarnished pure, girl-next-door vibe by a few decisions. Both people are at a turning point and decided to create a Santa movie that would be softcore porn for Hope Channel after Dark. Both have a history, both are trying to change, and both cannot help but fall in love with each other.

I read the ARC, and there are a few plot points that I wished were fleshed out more in the story, and perhaps they will when published. But those plot points were not crucial to the storyline, but just enough for me to want more.

Wow. I picked up this book at the same time as a sweet romcom, so I was rather surprised to open it without double checking the blurb and realizing it was about soft-core porn. I don't particularly have a problem with that, it was all about expectations.

Previously, I have read two Julie Murphy books, both which were very tame, so this caught me by surprise. There is A LOT of sex. It is very explicitly written. If you want a sweet, closed door romance novel, put this one down and walk away now. But if spicy is your jam, this book is very very good. The characters are well-rounded, the conflict feels real, the supporting cast is vibrant, and everything is incredibly well-written. I didn't realize there was a prior book in this series, but I'll be picking it up ASAP.

After reading all of Julie Murphy's past books plus her joint Merry Little Meet Cute with Sierra Simone, I instantly knew I wanted to check out A Holly Jolly Ever After. Once again, this book is a compelling, sex-positive, witty and sweeping romance. Told in dual points of view, you really get a whole picture of their love story from making the newest holiday romance and beyond. While this book does have one of my personal least favorite tropes, I'll allow it because it takes the story to an unexpected, deeper place that makes A Holly Jolly Ever After way more than just a spicy romance novel. And yes, there are spicy scenes -- in spades. Also, I personally liked A Holly Jolly Ever After more than Merry Little Meet Cute, but that's just my taste and in no way diminishes the latter.

The Hope Channel is back with a new naughty, nighttime offering: Hope After Dark. Duke the Halls (book 1) was such a success that Teddy has been hired to film a new movie - Santa, Baby. Teddy once again leans on a former bad boy, pop star for his lead but this time he recruits Kallum Lieberman. When wholesome Winnie Baker is selected to play the future Mrs. Claus, it quickly becomes apparent that she may not be up to the task. Winnie is ready to break away from her good girl image and asks for Kallum’s help to prepare for her role.

A Holly Jolly Ever After is the second book in the A Christmas Notch series.There are open-door scenes throughout this contemporary romance. I highly recommend reading the first book, A Merry Little Meet Cute, before reading this one. Most of the characters and some of the storyline carry over into book two. There is a cute little novella, Snow Place Like LA, that takes place between books 1 & 2. While it is not crucial to being able to understand A Holly Jolly Ever After, it is also a fun read.

Winnie’s growth throughout the book is such a critical part to the MCs love story. She comes from such a restrictive background and Kallum is fully prepared to let Winnie lead herself for once. Winnie learns to not only stand up for herself but to be comfortable and to love herself. In the end, I think Winnie and Kallum both have a bit of a journey to becoming their better, true selves and they needed one another to get there.

This book is only vaguely holiday related. It could definitely be read at any time of year. I hope we’ll be getting at least one more book in this series. I am very curious to know more about Isaac, the third bandmate. Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone are both such fantastic writers. I would love to see more collaborative work from them in the future.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I really liked this book and am enjoying this series a lot. The authors work brilliantly together to perfectly blend smut and sweetness. It’s been days since I finished reading but I keep thinking about the male main character and representation of “dad bod” in romance genre since we get nice plus size representation these days which was done really well in book one. Just a solid read and really looking forward to anything else that they collaborate on in the future. Already bought Snow Place Like LA and am excited to read it!!

This was adorable and spicy and I couldn't put it down. I loved that each character had something to work on, it makes their books so much more believable. I'm never bored of these books because the full cast of characters is so amazing and intriguing. I can't wait for book 3!

In this second book in the Christmas Notch series, actress Winnie Baker has decided to reinvent herself after her seemingly perfect life and marriage have fallen apart. Despite trying to do everything right (mainly meaning doing everything her parents and husband have wanted), she's recently divorced and struggling with her next steps. Since her "wholesome" brand has already been tainted, she decides to really lean into the scandal by agreeing to star in a raunchy Christmas movie.

Kallum Lieberman (the "K" from the hit boy band INK) has opened a small but successful chain of pizza parlors and spends his time having flings with bridesmaids at friends' weddings. Although he's mostly happy with his life, he jumps at the chance to star in a sexy Santa movie, despite his family's objections. As filming begins, the chemistry between Kallum and Winnie quickly heats up even more off-screen.

This is the second book in the series, but I do think it can be read without having read the first one--although some of the minor characters and side plots might be a tad confusing. The book has the same signature spice as the first from this duo, although since Winnie was raised in a religious background, she is discovering pleasure for the first time with Kallum, so there's a lot of instruction involved in those scenes. Given Winnie's background, I felt like the sex between the two of them moved a bit fast. My other quibble is about Winnie's narcolepsy--there's a lot of internal dialogue regarding how she deals with her condition, but at no point does she ever bring this up to Kallum. The book was a little long and the end could have wrapped up a bit more quickly and neatly, but overall, this was a fun, sex-positive romp that readers of these authors' previous books will enjoy.

A fun and spicy holiday romance from the crack team of Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone. I hope these two write more books together!

Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone are at it again! More spicy, fun, and addicting romance with the sweetest twists - fans will love!

Very cute and spicy!! I loved the first one so much and loved this one too! I knew it would be good after reading the first one!! I do feel like there were some plot holes and some things that were mentioned but never mentioned again but overall i enjoyed this book so much!

Unlike the first book in this series, I was not as surprised (shocked) by some of the graphic sex content - which is not really graphic but touches on some things that I have never heard about and have to look up (cue the interesting search history on my devices) - compared to the first book in this series where I went in expecting something very different. Like the first book, I really truly enjoyed the story and the characters. Because there are some really interesting characters, and the development of our main POV characters was well done. You get a feel for who they are right from the start, and also what their hangups are that the will have to overcome to mature and develop as people. I was rooting for Kallum from the outset even though he did have a bit of a little boy maturity thing going on. It seemed a shame that he didn't see himself in a positive way despite everything that he had done and the fact that the people around him truly adore him. Winnie was also a wonderful person, but I did find I took longer to warm up to her. Probably because I felt like she was using Kallum at the beginning. Sure, he was enjoying himself, but ....

The story moves well. The characters are well done. All in all well written too. And the love story did not feel too contrived, although no surprises for me. We get some more of the other minor folks from Bee and Nolan's story and a hint of what may be covered in book 3. My one complaint is that I feel like Kallum could have made his pizza parlour success happen within the whole (no spoilers!) Winnie relationship, and that he was the one who made a lot more sacrifices in the end to make their relationship work.

If you liked the first book in the series, then you'll definitely enjoy this one. I liked it a tad better than book 1. If this is the first one in the series you're reading, while it can be a stand alone, be prepared for some of the character connections and the Teddy-Steph plot to be a bit confusing.

Sidebar: This is VERY different from Murphy's other books. It is very much MA.

Second sidebar: I really kind of want Hallmark to take a page from these books and step into a mature romance like these books have with the movies within the books. That would be kind of fun.

Filled with holiday quirks and lots of steamy passion. This Holly Jolly romcom is also filled with tons of heart that hit all the feels.

Kallum Lieberman is the “K” from when he was in the boy band INK. While his buddies, Nolan and Isaac both went on to have independent careers after the band disbanded, Kallum instead went on to become a pizza mogul and also stumbled into making a sex tape. Oops. After his buddy Nolan turned his life around on the Hope Channel making a Christmas movie, that same network reached out to Kallum when they started an after dark series and given his dive into on screen naughty times mixed with his INK fame, Hope felt Kallum was the perfect fit.

Who could possibly be his leading lady except Hope Channel’s fall from grace star than Winnie Baker herself. After divorcing her husband and being accused of cheating, Winnie is practically untouchable in the purity networks, but for the launch into a darker side…well she’s a perfect fit and she also happens to be Kallum’s teenage crush. Win and win.

These two are both adorable, while being super hot together. Here we have Kallum, who has led a typical boy band lifestyle, no permanent relationships or ever being considered for more than one night, but it doesn’t mean he isn’t wishing for more. Psst…he is, he just doesn’t know how to break his sycle.

Winnie is just the opposite, married young and has only been in one relationship. This is her chance to live a little and experience new things…like a hot man who can actually make her…well, you know. Boy does Kallum know how to make Winnie happy. Lucky girl.

While these two may have grown up very differently, they do share a lot of similar insecurities and experiences. They both grew up under a very public spotlight, so, for example, they both never went on proper dates…which is super cute. However, can a future really last outside of shooting their movie?

I loved returning to this world, but I will admit I did miss some of the colorful characters from Ray-Ray’s that came from knowing Bee, but obviously these two are different people and this is a new holiday story with its own set of problems and quirkiness. On the positive, we do get to meet Isaac, the “I” from INK, which I’m hoping means there will be a third book and will complete the full INK book ensemble.

This was an absolutely exceptional book and an amazing follow up to A Merry Little Meet Cute. I would love to see Murphy and Simone together forever as a writing duo, I could not pinpoint when one author's words started and anothers picked up!

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for this eARC.

I think Julie and Sierra have really found their groove, because I liked the first one of these during last year's NetGalley Christmas in July, but I thought this one was even better.

Kallum (this year's former member of fictional boy band INK - he was the funny one) and Winnie (a former child actress and victim of purity culture trying to rebrand and reenter the acting world) are honestly so much fun to read about, especially in the first half of this book. They're in Christmas Notch to film a spicy hallmark-esque movie about young Santa trying to find his Mrs. Claus (would watch) and things are spicy both on screen and off. I especially loved Winnie coming to a different understanding of herself than she had growing up with a purity ring (and the absolute biggest loser as a husband). The second part of the book employs a trope I don't always love, but even that really worked for me here! Also, the cast of characters from the first book DO turn up here, always fun!

An actress used to scandal has to restart her career and a former boy band member are reunited years after a scandalous night that left them both in the media and years later they are about to work together on a spicy Christmas romcom! Kallum Lieberman used to be a boy band member but then his sex tape got leaked and now he owns a pizza chain and is also known as the guy that bridesmaids sleep with before they find the one. Kallum wants nothing more than to find The One, but no matter how many bridesmaids he sleeps with he is always going to. be the guy before The One. When his old sex tape gets leaked and goes viral and he is offered the role of sexy Santa for the Hope Chanel he can't say no. Winnie Baker was the good girl, she did everything right from marrying her childhood sweetheart to being the girl in all the home movies. Yet after one disastrous photo of her get wasted is leaked (by none other than Kallum) her image fell, and then her husband cheated on her, and now Winnie has to find a way to pay back the Hope Channel for her lost role in the movie. Yet Winnie is offered the role of Mrs. Claus and it would help get her back in the media and help her tell her side of the story that her ex-husband had created and bashed her. The only problem with staring in this sexy movie is that Winnie herself has never orgasmed or felt true pleasure.... but thankfully there is Kallum there to help her. Kallum's little secret is that Winnie Baker was his teenage crush, the one person whom he absolutely adored and watched all of her movies. Yet what started as just lessons soon blooms into something more but can these two make it work or will it be a complete flop? This was a pretty fun spicy Christmas rom com. Winnie is dealing with a lot, from dealing with religious guilt. to trying to live her new life and just trying to learn to open herself up again. Kallum had a lot of growing up to do in this movie but one thing is for sure, he was in love with Winnie for a long time and it was cute. Overall definitely add this to your Christmas tbr!

*Thanks Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager, Avon for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Graphically steamy, very sex positive.

A Holly, Jolly Ever After tells a great story of two people growing up, becoming who they really want to be and taking responsibility for their own lives.

Winnie, freshly divorced and estranged from her parents who controlled her squeaky clean, purity pact childhood acting career. Kallum, fresh off his sex tape release and enjoying his re-found fame after his boy band INK went their separate ways.
The growth journey these two embark upon adds weight to the wacky holiday movie they are starring in together - a soft core Santa origin story, yeah you read that right!

Love the quirky cast of characters that revolve around the productions of Teddy Ray Fletcher for Hope After Dark and the charming town of Christmas Notch.

One quibble is that much discussion in Winnie’s head was her concern about her narcolepsy and its impact on her life, yet never in the book did she share this concern or condition with Kallum.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In A Holly Jolly Ever After, we watch recently divorced Winnie, determined to overcome the internalized shame of the “purity culture” she was raised in, find both herself and her unexpected match in former boy-band star Kallum, whose leaked sex tape made waves in act three of the first Christmas Notch novel, A Merry Little Meet Cute.

Personally, I enjoyed this novel so much more than its predecessor, in part because it somehow manages to achieve a nearly impossible (but utterly satisfying) balance between instantly spicy and slow-burn-ingly sweet. Every smutty scene was not only delicious, but also moved the plot forward in necessary and believable ways. What can I say? This book uses the "sex lesson" trope to perfection! Watching Winnie learn how to experience pleasure, how to ask for what she needs, and how to set boundaries was just...everything—gratifying, empowering, affirming. I loved every minute of it.

As for Kallum, all I can say is, "Yes," and “More, please.” Watching him grow into himself, from a man who vaguely wanted to find his ‘one’ into the man who was willing to work for her, was a treat. And I adore how he's described—with his dad bod, sexual confidence, and dancer's fluidity. It was beyond satisfying to watch as he discovers that being considered the 'funny and fat one' isn't a life sentence, and that the only thing keeping him in that role is insecurity. By the time he and Winne earn their HEA, I sincerely felt like they had *earned* it.

After a personal sense of disappointment with my first visit to Christmas Notch, this novel totally made up for it. I cannot wait to see what happens next!