I was hoping that I was going to enjoy this Christmas read but it was a flop for me. I wasn’t able to get into the story with the writing style. Was a DNF at 22%.

A super cute and very erotic Christmas novel told in dual POV.

Sunny and Isaac match on an app after attending their best friend's wedding, it'll be there second one night stand after the previous one 2 years ago but the next morning, Isaac realises the motel Sunny is staying is a dive and invites her and her cat to move in with him in his mansion. So she does and it doesn't take long for them to turn their one night stand into a roomies with bennies situation.

At the same time, Sunny is trying to write a screenplay based on a story of a Christmas miracle from 1944 and Isaac offers to help her out since he enjoys trying to solve cold cases. They work together to substantiate the story, bringing them closer and closer until Sunny finally admits her feelings - she's in love with Isaac. But he isn't capable of loving anyone after the Love of his life died 5 years ago.

I really liked Sunny as a character, she grows quite a lot as a person as a result of everything she uncovers about her Christmas miracle. As she talks to different people she learns a lot about love, grief and moving on after someone you love dies. It gives her the courage to make the hard decisions like admitting her feelings to Isaac, reconnecting with her brother and making decisions about her future.

Isaac is a "sad boy" but he's protective of Sunny and wants to make her happy and give her everything she wants but he can't love her, it's too scary to let his grief go and start the next chapter of his life. He's a good guy but somewhat self involved when it comes to his sadness but he eventually comes around.

The spicy scenes were on point! There are a lot of spicy scenes between the two, they're well written and I didn't feel any cringyness while reading it.

I didn't really like the extra chapters at the start and end from Teddy's POV, I thought it was pointless and I wasn't at all invested in him as a character so it was annoying, I wanted to read more about Isaac and Sunny, not Teddy. I'd rather have had the final chapter in Isaac or Sunny's POV.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

"Did you trip and fall into a romance novel?"

Unfortunately I didn't fall into the story as I did with 'A Merry Little Meet Cute'.

I'm not entirely sure why I didn't engage with the story. I think in the beginning, for me, the pacing wasn't right. I don't mind a story beginning with throwing a reader 'into the deep end', however we were initially given all these details and the pace and flow of the story just continued to move without allowing the reader to catch up.

Whilst I enjoyed the premise of the characters and what their backgrounds and personal history could bring to the story (it was good to see heavier emotions such as grief and loss featured in a romance), I just didn't connect with them. Whilst I enjoyed some scenes, their dialogue and the humour between them, the connection didn't go much further than that. Overall, I just felt a bit disconnected.

Whilst this wasn't for me, if you do enjoy festive-themed books with spicy scenes this could be for you.

Thank you to Harper Collins for an eARC, I am voluntarily leaving a review.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read this book in exchange for a fair and full review.

I absolutely love Christmas and this book gave it to me in spades. It had everything; love, passion, magic and everything that encompasses the festive season.

This series is a lot of fun and very lighthearted, although I did like the way this installment discusses grief and moving on. Sunny and Isaac are on this quest throughout the book to track the story of an "angel postman" from years before, while at the same time navigating being roommates, and it was very cute and fun. I loved the chemistry between Sunny and Isaac, mixed with some deeply emotional moments. It's veryyyy spicy, much more so than your traditional Christmas romance, but that's the fun of this series!

Sadly this one just wasn't for me and as a result I won't be reviewing it at this time. I thank you for approving the request.

This is the third book in the Christmas Notch series and reading these books starts feeling like a tradition of my own. This books follows Sunny and Isaac, but you still get to see some of the previous characters which I love. Both Isaac and Sunny suffer from a creative writers block and after ending up as roommates (yay forced proximity!) they decide to help each other with their blockage. What could possibly go wrong?
Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone have cracked the code to writing hot and steamy Christmas romances with some delightful humorous scenes. Yet the stories feel delicate with characters who are not afraid to show their vulnerabilities and struggles.

This was a cute easy cozy Christmas book however it felt like it was about 100 pages too long. I found myself almost skim reading some parts because it was dragging a little. The spicy scenes were clearly the main attraction of the book however the plot to go along with it didn’t feel strong enough to be a 400 pages too long book.
I loved being back with these characters and I finished the book mostly so I could see how their stories wrapped up but I don’t think I would read another book in this world.
The setting was really festive and definitely puts you in the Christmas mood! So definitely worth a go if smutty Christmas is your vibe

3.5 Stars. It was great to be back in Christmas Hollow. A light hearted romp that dealt with heavier topics. I did find some parts cringy but I otherwise thoroughly enjoyed it.

Just not for me! I didn’t get in with the writing style, the characters grated on me and although it’s plenty spicy, I just didn’t care whether they got together or not.

This was another great instalment of this series! Absolutely loved the roommates/forced proximity trope at play and I also really enjoyed reading from both sunny and Isaac’s povs.
The added town miracle mystery was also a fun subplot!

This is the third in Murphy and Simone’s festive romance series, with linked characters appearing throughout but with enough backstory provided to allow each book to be read as a standalone. The spice levels are HIGH in this series - I usually prefer my romances a little more on the PG side - but the writing is reliably good and the characters fun to spend time with.

A mix of charming and spicy, this was a great way to ease into my festive reading this year and perhaps my favourite book in this series so far. I loved seeing Sunny's vulnerable side and how she called Isaac Sad Boy all the time. She felt like she had a distinct personality, with a twist of humour at times that was subtle - simply a turn of phrase. We also see some great character growth for both Sunny and Isaac as their relationship develops and they (eventually) explore their own feelings. There's plenty of Christmas magic, the return of our favourite and familiar side characters (or previous stars from other books), and all the snow you need to feel like you're in the festive spirit.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

Spicy and festive as expected, this was an easy read and added extra heat to the holidays setting. Fun.

This book is absolutely incredible and I loved every word of it. Julia and Sierra, please write another 14 books.

I have loved the Christmas Notch series since I got an e-arc of A Merry Little Meet Cute, and this series has become one of my favourites which I intend to reread each year. This final book did not let me down, Issac and Sunny are stunning together, I love the banter, the deeper conversations around grief, familial expectations and all the incredible rep.
5 stars. No notes.

Sadly this one missed the mark with me

I wanted to give this duo another chance after not being completely enthralled with Merry Little Meet Cute but unfortunately the writing style just isn’t for me. I can see how people love these authors though so it would definitely appeal to those at this holiday time

Another cute and spice book from julie and sierra. I love a good Christmas book and this did not disappoint! I'm no feeling all the Chrismassy feelings!

Overall I enjoyed this Christmassy love story.

I felt connected to the main characters right from the start. I loved how relatable the FMC was. A curvy woman with ADHD.

If you love spice, then this book is for you. It is detailed and it is often!

I do have to say, I was baffled after the Prologue. It felt like information and character overload and I didn't know what was going on. It took me a long to time to read the Prologue and I nearly DNF'd the book after the first couple of pages because of it. However, I'm glad I carried on. I'm sure if I went back now and reread it, it would all make sense.

This is a great Christmassy book 🩷

A great ending to what has been such a fun, festive series. I loved Isaac and Sunny, the care and joy they find with each other and the heat they brought to the bedroom alike. I loved seeing Isaac heal, him finally come to terms with his grief and the way he was hurting himself and others by guarding himself and his heart the way he was. And for Sunny to realise she was deserving of emphatic love, that sometimes the not knowing, the potential pain was worth the risk to love and be loved. The cast of characters are excellent as always and I loved the secondary plot of the mystery of the postal worker and the angel.

It might be too early to mention the “C” word for some. But I’ve been poorly this week, so I’ve been cracking open the Christmas books. They’ve given me the warm and cosy hug that I’ve needed. They may have also been quite spicy. Okay … very spicy! 🌶️
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My reading has included “A Jingle Bell Mingle” which is the final book in the Christmas Notch series. And deals with the third ex-member of the boy band INK, Isaac Kelly. A sad and reclusive widower who can’t recover from the death of his wife and teenage sweetheart, Brooklyn.
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Enter onto the scene Sunny, a bright and bubbly ex-porn star who Isaac already has a bit of a history with (hello, threesome)! After a one night stand (second night stand?!) Sunny moves into Isaac’s huge sad boy mansion and they soon become roommates with benefits.
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I don’t know how they do it but Sierra and Julie manage to write wholesome but absolutely filthy books. Just perfect for an ill Lucy. This one packed a bit more emotional punch than the previous Christmas Notch books as it dealt strongly with grief and the guilt that comes attached with that. It touches on how hard it can be to move on with your life when it potentially means leaving the ones you’ve lost in the past
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I’ve always loved the eclectic bunch of found family in the Christmas Notch books. From Isaac’s charming, funny and caring ex-boy band members, to the group of old ladies Isaac anonymously (?) WhatsApps and the insiders of the porn star industry, every character is memorable and adorable.
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These books also ooze sex and body positivity and I’m here for that. The perfect very spicy festive read.