Thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest op

Now, wait a damn minute. I have read this series, front to back, to enjoy a PARODY of a Hallmark romance franchise with an absolutely hilarious horny spin. Not to cry. Not to get hit right in the feels. And certainly not to grow from examining my own grief as compared to Isaac's and how I need to bring down my walls and stop hiding to not inconvenience anyone. And also with a similar examination of Sunny's grief- and how I've been running and keeping busy instead of facing it or.. something. I don't know. But this will certainly all be brought up with my therapist next week thanks to a silly holiday romance book? 2024, you're wild.


Is this the best book of the series or did I just connect to this more than the others on a personal level? I don't know, you can find out for yourself when you read it. But for me- this was the best book of the series. I have LOVED getting to know Sunny's black cat disposition over the previous two full novels and two novellas. The TINY glimpses of our sad recluse, but actually a cinnamon roll, Isaac lead beautifully into this third book.

I enjoyed the absolute undeniable pull of these two, both of their individual subplots were intriguing and the full circle moments just did not stop.

While it was the process of the whole series, Teddy, the porn star producer, being the voice of all of the prologues and epilogues was a winner every time. But the way it all came together in this final installment- absolute chef's kiss.

Truly this series blew me out of the water. I picked up book 1 before I had even joined obsessed reader land. I made a brief tiktok about it on my personal page (booktok was not a thing for me then)- stating that I had no clue what the book was about but I saw a big girl on the cover and felt seen. So glad I took that leap from the Target shelves- and now here I am, several years later, all in on reading, and one of the lucky ARC readers of the final installment. And here it is- meeting me in this time of new grief, and actually guiding me through it? How weird, but wonderful..

This is an incredibly wordy and personal review. Perhaps I shouldn't post it. But if you know me in real life- and from getting to know the authors on socials and through a lovely author event last year- I feel their push to just hit publish! So... BOOP!

Book Title: A Jingle Bell Mingle
Series: A Christmas Notch #3
Authors: Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone
Publisher: Harper Voyage/Avon
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Pub Date: September 24, 2024
My Rating: 2.5 Stars!
Pages 400


I was drawn to this because of the cover. I love Christmas and thought this was going to be a sweet Christmas romance, However, I did not realize it was book #3 in this series and I hadn’t read the other two. There is a bit of a recap of the first book’s characters, Bee and Nolan, and goes back to their wedding via Teddy Ray Fletcher’s POV as he attends their wedding. Sunny Parker and Isaac Kelly are both guests and find each other attractive and end up in Sunny’s dilapidated hotel room

Sunny is a part-time adult film actress/one-time adult film director/makeup artist.
Isaac is a former boy band heartthrob in “INK” a boy band and widower, and now the owner of the town’s historic mansion.

When Isaac sees how horrible the place is where Sunny is staying, he invites her to stay at his mansion during her time in Vermont.

In addition to Sunny and Isaac there are several sub plots which were okay however, I would have preferred the story be shorter and more focused- perhaps that is because I missed the previous two stories.

I always enjoy reading the author’s notes and//or acknowledgements- in this case, our authors tells us about pitching this to their agent as a ‘deranged raunch-com- I busted out laughing since I love Psychological thrillers a raunch-com certain doesn’t appeal to me nearly as much as a deranged psychopath. Okay call me weird but at least I have a better understand as to why this story was not for me – True my fault as I didn’t do my homework and certainly doesn’t mean other will love it.

Want to thank NetGalley and Harper Voyager/ Avon for granting my wish with this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 24, 2024.

I was so excited to venture back to Christmas Notch for the conclusion of the Christmas Notch trilogy by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone and this was by far my favorite addition to the series.

The latest Christmas Notch addition follows Sunny who is an adult film actress accidentally trying her hand at screenwriting for a movie project by the Hope Channel. She hooks up with Isaac Kelly a former boy band member for a second one night stand that ultimately results a roommates with bennies situation.

Isaac has moved to Christmas Notch following the death of his wife and muse to write a Christmas album. He and Sunny both have creative writing blocks keeping them from moving forward with their perspective projects, and a fair amount of roommate distractions between them.

This is a classic grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract Christmas rom com with extra dirty bits. If you’re looking for some extra steamy Christmas fun to get you ready for the holiday season definitely pick this one up. You don’t really need to read the others in the series to enjoy A Jingle Bell Mingle but they’re all so entertaining and absolutely unputdownable why not read ‘em all?

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

A Jingle Bell Mingle by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone was a fun conclusion to the Christmas Notch series. The book follows Isaac Kelly and Sunny Palmer who through rom-com circumstances end up as "roommates" in Isaac's mansion in Christmas Notch after a post-wedding hookup. I loved their delightful grumpy sunshine dynamic and chemistry between the pair. We also got to see into the HEAs of the earlier books' protagonist. A Jingle Bell Mingle is a great book to read during the holiday season for a little steamy romance on a cold day.

Loved everything about this book! The sad angsty Isaac, the bubbly but closed off Sunny, and of course the miracle!
The writing was equal parts hilarious and heart wrenching. I felt all the feels with these crazy kids and the supporting characters were as always, amazing.
This is the last book in this series and it’s bittersweet. I’m glad we got everyone’s stories, but sad it’s over.

Another Christmas Notch naughty romance with some of our favorite side characters turned MC - this time Sunny and Isaac, aka Sad Boy. After an unforgettable threesome with the one and only Jack Hart, Sunny and Isaac find themselves drawn to one another like lube to labia as Isaac settles into his big mansion all alone and Sunny evicts herself and her demon spawn puss partner, Mr. Tumnus, from a local roach motel.

Their energies could not be farther apart but both have this pattern of being lost and haunted that makes them more similar than either realize. And their chemistry together makes living together hotter than the Yule log.

Another fun filled romp with everyone’s favorite lovable porn stars and boybanders.

This book cracked me up. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but it had a good combination of wit, sadness, and romance. This was also way spicier than I anticipated but it didn’t necessarily take away from the story. It’s a super fast paced read in a town called Christmas Notch, what more could you ask for.

Unfortunately this book is not for me and I can’t finish it. I was so confused by the prequel that I had to reread it a couple times to figure out who the characters were. The cover was giving standard romance book and it’s not that.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper for letting me read an E -ARC of this book for an honest review. I’m sure there are people will enjoy this book but not me.

This book was okay, but not my favorite. The characters were less nuanced and less likable (more on par with the character development in those Hallmark Channel movies this spoofs). I wanted more. Unfortunately if you're not binging the series, it's difficult to remember the myriad of characters and backstories.

My first Christmas Notch novel! Why have I been sleeping on these?? A Jingle Bell Mingle is a Hallmark movie with a dash of spice and Christmas magic. I thought this book would be a syrupy sweet romance (clearly I knew nothing of this series going in), so I was pleasantly surprised to find sarcastic/witty banter, extra spicy smutty scenes, and a beautiful story between two broken people that are drowning in grief.
Sunny and Isaac are two people wandering aimlessly through life and are haunted by the ghosts of their pasts. They team up to try to overcome creative mental blocks in their respective careers, and soon realize that they need each other to live their lives to the fullest. This story is beautifully written with laugh out loud moments and the perfect depiction of grief and how it can mold a person’s entire existence. Furthermore, the Christmas Notch legend that they are investigating is heartwarming and precious. Highly recommend this book for those that like Hallmark Christmas movies, but wish they were spicier. A perfect Christmas read!

I went into this with pretty average expectations, just because I wasn’t the biggest fan of a merry little meet cute BUT honestly I think this book was much better! I was a bit confused at first because there was an information dump with the character development from the start, however, I loved Issac and Sunny’s romance! It was spicy, cozy-christmasy, and all around a great book. I enjoyed the real topics the book also talked about, which is why I don’t consider it super lighthearted. It was a fun read though!

i received an arc of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

wow. a campy, fun, sometimes cheesy, very spicy holiday rom-com. with queer characters. it’s the third in the series but definitely works as a standalone. the prologue is not a great indicator of the rest of the book as it introduces MANY characters in a way that feels overwhelming (and unnecessary.) all in all, perfect if you love hallmark movies but wish they were raunchier.

I am so sad this series is done. It’s an utter delight and I love the raunch coms, which can be hard to find. This entry, once again, has tons of heart and spice. The characters are a mess in a really compelling, interesting ways.

This is BY FAR my favorite of the series so far. Don't get me wrong, I have devoured every single installment but this one just hit different. The excitement I had for being back in Christmas Notch was unmatched and these two were spicy beyond belief! I will never get tired of the spin on a steamy hallmark movie, it's just too good. The way Julie and Sierra intertwine HILARITY with the hottest of steam will never go unnoticed by me. Throw in some forced proximity and only one bed and this is the perfect recipe for a heat you up holiday romance. I loved it! 4.5/5 stars!!

I loved this! It’s so witty while being fun, swoony, and ridiculously sexy. Romance readers are king to be obsessed.

Wow. I was not expecting to feel so many feelings while reading this book! And the spice, as always, was next level! For me, though, the chemistry kind of fell flat and was somewhat forced. Overall, not my favorite, but a nice ending to the series.

Thank you for approving my request for this book.

Immediately 5 stars! I was so excited to go back to this universe in christmas notch that I didn't want to put the book down. So happy to see Isaac finally be happy!

It’s unusual to find a book that checks all the “good romance” boxes, but it this book did it! Christmas spirit, quirky locals in a small town, crazy animals, hilarious banter, steamy encounters, boy bands, and a HEA. Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone checked off all of that and more with this addition to the Christmas Notch universe. If you’re a fan of Christina Lauren and Tessa Bailey, make sure to check this series out and get properly warmed up for the winter season 🔥🔥!

Meh. The smut in this was really good, but it felt like all smut and no plot. And within the actual plot, I felt bored

I adored the dynamic between sad boy Isaac and sunshine sunny. These two take griefs opposite spectrums and show how being with people you care about can let love back into your life without losing the memories of the past. I love how deep we got to feel these characters, especially Sunny, and I love how they overcame in their own lives to see this story through