This is one of my favorite series ever. I’m sorry that this is the last one. There will ever only be one Christmas Notch, so I’m sad this is over. I still don’t think I liked any of them as much as the first.

This one wasn’t my favorite because the main plot was a little bland. They were basically just trying to be each others muse but fighting against it. But both of them knew what was working for them so I didn’t understand where this was going. It seemed a bit weird. What saved it for me was the mailman plot. I think I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if this was the actual plot. It was so much more fun than their arguing.

The humor and banter is still unmatched. I don’t understand how they have so many weird Christmas puns lmao (HOT NUTS?!) I also don’t understand how or why I laughed at every single one either lol And like Teddy? I missed him immediately. As soon as I finished it I went back to the very beginning and looked at all his interactions lol He is still a riot and still my favorite character.

I also loved that even after 3 books and 2 novellas, this was still an ode to Christmas. And this one was the best of the three of them because there was a Christmas miracle involved. Yes they were gunning to debunk it, but I really thought it brought out the magic of the story. (Followed by a close second with the first one) It was Definitely a book to put you in the mood for the holidays.

The main characters weren’t my favorites either. They were too much alike. And they both had the same excuses. Also I’m disappointed, it said second chances, I was expecting them ALL to have a second chance (if you know what I mean) so I was a bit disappointed when they didn’t get one. But their romance was still ok. I think I just wanted more romance, less them butting heads. I did like the mental health rep for depression and the way they showed all the different ways grief can be present for Isaac. His character was the one who felt the most real to me.

This book was so much fun. I can’t believe this is the last time we’ll be in Christmas Notch. I want to do an entire re-read closer to the holidays. Hopefully they bring this back with some other characters. Or maybe they’ll do like another holiday? Idk. Whatever it is, I hope they bring something back to fill the void in my heart!

🎄 Will They, Won't They
❄️ Christmas
🏘️ Small Town
🔥 Spicy
🩷 Slow Burn
🎤 Music Star
🎥 Porn Star

A Jingle Bell Mingle is definitely a spicy seasonal read! If you love Christmas, this book will bring it on full force with its holiday vibes and small-town charm. The main characters—one a music star and the other a former porn star—who are thrown together again after previously hooking up in a bi-curious threesome are lovable and endearing.
Their story just felt a little slow at times, and I couldn’t get too invested in the screenplay plot for the Hope Channel at all. Despite that, it’s a fun, spicy winter read if you’re looking for something light to enjoy during the holidays.

Thank you NetGalley & Avon & Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really wanted to like this but struggled to finish. The storyline was good but seemed to drag on longer than necessary.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

When Sunny Palmer accidentally sells her screenplay to the Hope Channel, she returns to Christmas Notch, Vermont for inspiration and to fully immerse herself into the legend her story is based on.
All Isaac Kelly, INK's resident sad boi, wants to do is finish his contracted Christmas album and rot in peace. But after they wake up together in a freezing cold hotel room after their friends' wedding, Isaac offers Sunny a place to stay while she's working on her screenplay.
When they discover that each of their creativity is blocked, they make a deal with each other: Isaac will help Sunny with her Christmas Miracle Screenplay research, and Sunny will help Isaac find a muse.

I LOVED this book! Isaac and Sunny are a perfect match of grumpy/sad and sunshine. Their chemistry was off the charts, the banter is hilarious, and they each have grief that they are working through that made their conversations seem so real and raw. The third act breakup conflict made sense for Isaac's grief, and I just loved it. What a great way to close out our Christmas Notch adventure.

This was a festive and steamy holiday romance that perfectly blends humor, heart, and heat. Julie and Sierra delivered a feel-good story that will leave you smiling and swooning all season long.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book! I was very excited for the final member of INK to have his own story. And Sunny too! We have had bits and pieces of each over the last 2 Christmas Notch books but this book really explored their characters more!
Overall i thought it was just ok. The spice was fine and the storyline was alright. I just wanted more or maybe i wanted less?
But i still had fun reading it and loved the humor the authors bring to the book. It is light and fun and while not too christmas-y, still appropriate for the season.

Sunny Palmer has had a lot of different jobs: adult film star and director, makeup artist, and now screenplay writer. Sunny is a bit free, a bit aimless, and a bit traumatized from her parents’ death when she was a teen. She is afraid to set down permanent roots, but for the time being, she is in Christmas Notch, Vermont with a deadline swiftly approaching. Sunny is determined to learn all she can about the local “Christmas miracle” story, since the pitch of her movie was hastily based on that lore and she finds herself with an unexpected companion in Isaac Kelly.

Isaac thought he had his life all figured out. He was part of a famous boy band and was married to the love of his life. But after tragedy radically altered his life, Isaac is now a sad and lonely widow that still owes his label an album. On a whim, Isaac purchased the mansion in town and just wants to be left alone. But when he sees Sunny again at a friend’s wedding, he is brought back to the threesome they shared and Isaac wants to get his hands on Sunny once again.

When Sunny and Isaac wake up together in a freezing hotel room, Isaac asks Sunny to stay at the mansion with him and there’s plenty of room for them both. But when they are both blocked creatively, Issac offers to help Sunny track down the local story and Sunny is determined to help find Issac a new muse. The pair only have eyes for each other, but Isaac can’t or won’t give his heart away again and they both have a lot to overcome to be able to write their own story.

You can get a touch of holiday early this year as A Jingle Bell Mingle is released and ready to read. This is the final book in the Christmas Notch series and in some ways can be read as a standalone, and in other ways it’s best to be read in order. The book opens again with Teddy’s POV and, if you are not familiar with him and the series, it could throw you off from the start. The prior MCs do have appearances, but the relationship between Sunny and Isaac is new to this book where we learn the heated story of a previous threesome they shared.

Both Sunny and Issac are trying to move forward, but are stuck for a variety of reasons. Isaac hasn’t been able to find any balance since his wife died. He’s blocked creatively and cut off from most people and his depression is all consuming. As the story progresses, the book taps more into Isaac’s feelings. Sunny has had a loss of her own with both of her parents dying. Sunny and Isaac are attracted to each other and sex is their way of communicating and it is also fills empty places and puts temporary band-aids on other places. Neither is ready to admit they want more and Isaac knows he can never love again.

The story has a lot of facets to it with both Sunny and Isaac’s losses, their relationship, and their work. There is a story in a story here as well, as they are researching the origin of a local tale passed down through the years. Even with all of that, this story didn’t land for me. The pair have a friends-with-benefits relationship to start. Sunny is setting Isaac up on dates so he can find a new muse and Isaac is so deep in his grief over his wife that he can’t even contemplate giving Sunny wants she wants, even though he longs to be with her all of the time. I never felt that Sunny and Isaac truly addressed their issues to be able to move forward together. They started to, but that was off for me as well. The secondary story didn’t hold my interest and had too many coincidences for me.

While the chemistry between Isaac and Sunny is stellar, with everything else going on around them, the story kept getting pulled in different directions and I found it difficult to see them as a forever couple. I have mixed feelings overall for Sunny and Isaac’s path to forever, but if you are looking for a snow-filled book set around small town Vermont, give this series a try.

I was so glad to be back in this world. These books are fun spicy holiday reads. I love how the authors' humor comes off in the books. They are hilarious and that really shines in these books.

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!