Recent Reads: Nick and Noel's Christmas Playlist by Codi Hall

Nick and Noel's Christmas Playlist by Codi Hall
Series: Mistletoe Romance #1
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publication Date:  October 5, 2021

 

Format: Ebook and Audible Audiobook
Source: From Sourcebooks Casablanca in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. (I also downloaded the Audible Audiobook).

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Curl up this Christmas with a sparkling romance filled with:

• Irresistible friends-to-lovers romance

• The kiss that changed everything

• Warm nights on the family Christmas tree farm

• All your favorite Christmas songs!

Nick Winter is just out of the military, and his Christmas homecoming is not going as planned. What was supposed to be a memorable holiday with his long-time girlfriend goes sour when he learns she cheated on him while he was stationed overseas. At least Nick can rely on his usual shift at the family Christmas tree farm with his best friend, Noel Carter, and her endless supply of Christmas tunes to lift his spirits. A night of fun together is just what he needs to forget about his ex.

But then they kiss. And it feels...so right.

If Noel can turn Nick’s Blue Christmas merry and bright, this might be the last Christmas Nick spends with a broken heart. This year, they’ll be Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree as a couple―as long as Nick’s ex doesn’t go standing under any mistletoe.

“Codi Hall brings all the feels.”—Monica Murphy, New York Times bestselling author

Review: 

I received this book for review but grabbed it off Audible as a freebie so that I could listen to it while moving and unpacking. It was not what I expected but it was very entertaining either way. I fully expected a cozy romance with some affection in the friends to lovers’ side of things and snarkiness of an ex. This book brought the extremes. I got very spicy love scenes and full-on violence between the characters. So, forewarning - if you don't like spicy romance, this book is not for you. If you don't like woman/woman hate and violence, this book also isn't for you.

Noel and Nick have been friends forever. The book is told from both POVs, and we alternate back and forth throughout the story. Noel has been adamant for years that love isn’t for her and she doesn’t want to be married or have kids, there is just too much loss in her past for her to do that. Nick is a kind-hearted hero who comes back from serving to get dumped on the spot by his long-term girl. When the ex makes an appearance while Nick and Noel are out with friends, Noel makes a rash decision and kisses Nick and then we spiral into a slow burn, friends to love romance. The complications to their plan are that they are stuck close friends and Noel is so scared to connect and really have a relationship and Nick and his family have become her family over the years since her parents passed away. The story is cute with a lot of will they/won’t they moments.

I enjoyed the banter and I think Nick and his friends were a lot of fun. I also liked the spiciness of romance and the anticipation; the overall build was fun and light and well done.

I wasn’t a huge fan of Noel; she was a little self-absorbed and liked to talk about her issues/baggage a lot and that was a little off-putting. I also wasn’t a fan of the girl/girl cattiness and violence. I understand bad blood and grudges but this one went above and beyond, and it was a little hard to listen to.

Overall if you are looking for a quick, fun, holiday rom com, this one could be it for you. If you are a fan of music, it also includes a playlist at the end that you can follow along with. It was quirky and cute, and had some drama as well.