Publishers Weekly
08/19/2024
From bestselling duo Murphy and Simone comes the hilarious and sexy third installment of the Christmas Notch series (after A Holly Jolly Ever After). Porn star Sunny Palmer stumbled into a meeting with executives at the über-conservative Hope Channel and accidentally sold them on her idea for a holiday romance screenplay. Now she and her grumpy cat, Mr. Tumnus, settle into the winter wonderland of Christmas Notch, Vt., the self-proclaimed home to Christmas miracles, hoping for some inspiration. That’s also what drives former boy band member Isaac Kelly to Christmas Notch. Five years ago, Isaac’s life turned upside down when his wife died. Now he must complete a final album for his record label without his muse. A hot one-night stand between Sunny and Isaac ignites passions neither is prepared to handle, leading Issac to invite Sunny to be his “roommate with benefits” as they both search for creative motivation. But how long can they keep feelings from entering their arrangement? Though the pace drags at the end, Murphy and Simone continue to mine gold from juxtaposing the expectations set by Hallmark movies with the messiness of real life. Series fans—and anyone looking for Christmas romance with an edgier twist—will find plenty to enjoy. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
"This steamy romance has emotional depth and relatable experiences. VERDICT Readers won’t be able to put down the third “Christmas Notch” story (following A Holly Jolly Ever After), a quirky, hot opposites-attract romance." — Library Journal (starred review)
“From bestselling duo Murphy and Simone comes the hilarious and sexy third installment of the Christmas Notch series. Murphy and Simone continue to mine gold from juxtaposing the expectations set by Hallmark movies with the messiness of real life. Series fans—and anyone looking for Christmas romance with an edgier twist—will find plenty to enjoy.” — Publishers Weekly
“Another superbly written, splendidly witty holiday romance featuring another pair of expertly nuanced protagonists and a plot that flawlessly balances sizzling sensual heat and sweet romantic affection while joyfully celebrating body positivity.” — Booklist (starred review) on Holly Jolly Ever After
“Well-developed protagonists with immediate chemistry and witty dialogue balance the emotional story as characters process big life changes and family trauma. Skillful, sympathetic writing weaves the conflict seamlessly into the storyline, creating a novel that will make readers laugh, cry, and cheer. Verdict: This sexy joyful romantic comedy from Murphy and Simone (A Merry Little Meet Cute) is a delightful read.” — Library Journal (starred review) on Holly Jolly Ever After
“Jewish ex-rocker Kallum and former Christian movie good girl Winnie ... both hope to revive their careers by filming a Hope After Dark (think Hallmark Christmas Channel meets Skinimax) biopic of young Santa in the town of Christmas notch. If that description sounds like a lot going on, well, there is, and that’s part of the fun of this chaotic Christmas stocking of tropes...[with] plenty of laughs.” — Oprah Daily on Holly Jolly Ever After
"The audacity of this magical author duo to sneak in and steal Christmas in the sexiest way possible. A Merry Little Meet Cute is the charming holiday romp you absolutely need in your life!" — #1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey
“A holiday rom-com full of quirky and fun characters, witty dialogue, and over-the-top Christmas cheer. An engaging, unputdownable holiday romance that will resonate with readers.” — Library Journal (starred review) for A Merry Little Meet Cute
“With plenty of cheeky charm and a cast of superbly nuanced characters, this brilliantly executed rom-com both cleverly skewers and unabashedly celebrates the appeal of squeaky-clean holiday romances, while also championing body positivity in life and love." — Booklist (starred review) for A Merry Little Meet Cute
“Murphy and Simone’s holiday romance is laugh-out-loud funny and so deliciously hot that readers will be glad it’s made for chilly weather. A sexy holiday romp that's the perfect combination of naughty and nice.” — Kirkus Reviews on A Merry Little Meet Cute
“The holiday romcom of my dreams! Sexy, progressive, hilarious, and full of good cheer. I know what I’m gifting to all my romance-loving friends this year.” — New York Times bestselling author Helen Hoang on A Merry Little Meet Cute
"Witty and entertaining from first page to last, A Merry Little Meet Cute will delight readers looking for a fresh, funny, fat- and sex-positive romcom. Bee and Nolan, both immensely likeable characters, anchor the sweetly raunchy story, but Murphy and Simone have also created memorable families and communities surrounding the two leads. This book is a joy to read, and readers will be clamoring for more stories set in the same world." — Olivia Dade, national bestselling author of Ship Wrecked
Library Journal
★ 08/01/2024
Sunny Palmer has returned to Christmas Notch, VT, to attend her best friend's wedding and write her first screenplay; the deadline's looming, but she still has no words on the page. She's basing the screenplay on a Christmas Notch legend and hopes to find some inspiration in her trip. Former band member Isaac Kelly lives in Christmas Notch, where he has bought a historic mansion and is seeking his own inspiration. When his wife died, his music died with her. He has one album left on his contract, and then he's free to wallow in his grief. When Sunny and Isaac meet, their attraction is immediate, and they retire to Sunny's dilapidated, run-down hotel room. Isaac doesn't particularly like Sunny, but he can't stand the thought of her staying in that room while she writes her screenplay, so he invites her to move in with him temporarily. Even better, he'll help her research the local legend, and she'll find him a new muse in return. This steamy romance has emotional depth and relatable experiences. VERDICT Readers won't be able to put down the third "Christmas Notch" story (following A Holly Jolly Ever After), a quirky, hot opposites-attract romance.—Heather Miller Cover
