The Mistletoe Mix-Up: A Holiday Romance: Falling in Mistletoe, Book 3

Falling in Mistletoe #3

by Codi Hall, C.J. Bloom (narrator), Lee Samuels (narrator)

Former lovers get a second chance at happily-ever-after in this holiday rom-com from the author of 10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe and Mistletoe Mischief.

Sam Griffin's nephew meant well when he brought his uncle to the attention of a relationship-advice radio show in Mistletoe, Idaho. But now, Sam is getting publicly roasted for his love life. Faced with the harsh reality of his dating history, he wants to be known as more than the guy who bounces from bed to bed. And if that means falling in love and settling down, all the better.

Back home after a long stint in the big city, police officer Wren Little is pulling double duty protecting the community and her own heart. With two decades behind her, she knows she dodged a bullet when she chose not to run off with Sam when they were teenagers. But it's proving difficult to avoid being confronted by her infamous ex—everywhere from the airwaves to the local watering hole. And he's just as sexy as ever . . .

As Christmas quickly approaches, Sam and Wren decide to let bygones be bygones in the spirit of the season. But with unresolved feelings, secrets, and passions simmering just below the surface, all it'll take is a little holiday cheer to reignite a romance that was never really extinguished.

"A breezy romantic romp with plenty of heat." — Kirkus Reviews on 10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe

Genres: Christmas, Holiday, Romance, Audiobook, Chick Lit

Audible Audio

First published December 3, 2024

Reviews

[Karsyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aw this mistletoe town makes me happy. Love that Sam got his happy ending

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have loved every book in the Mistletoe series…except for this one. This story felt so detached and different from the rest of the series and I’m really bummed that I couldn’t connect with it. This book is very baby/pregnancy heavy if that’s something you have trouble aligning with. Also, I felt that the main character listed out her goals and ideals for her own life very clearly and it seemed like EVERY character challenged her and made her second guess herself at every turn despite her being an adult woman who should be allowed to decide for herself (something she even states herself at one point). Without spoiling anything I found the ornament scene to be creepy and stalkerish not sweet and wholesome as it was intended. A lot of this book was the main character being forced into a situation that makes her rethink and second guess herself to fit into societal norms despite her entire personality being to forge her own way and go against the grain. I was disappointed in this one but I love the rest of these books to death.

[Kellie Forney]

This book was probably my favorite of the trilogy. I am not usually a reformed playboy girl but Sam was a bad boy with a soft spot. I mean the story starts with him sneaking Christmas Tree cakes! He also has a subtle 98° tattoo so my boy band loving heart was smitten. I love the way these two fell back together after 19 years. I even love her grouchy dad opening his heart to them both. Now aim invested and want to read Millie’s book. I mean hottie PE teacher and librarian. I’m down!

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wren Little has bounced all over the country being a cop and now she’s back in her hometown ready for the next chapter of her life. Wren wants a baby without the hassle of a relationship so while she looks for a sperm donor baby daddy she ends spending time with her high school boyfriend, Sam. As the two develop feelings they thought lost, Sam offers to be the father of her child, but can he really leave them both when the time comes?

In between books 1 and 2: 4 ⭐️

[Karen Bauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the spiciest one I've read by Codi Hall. I enjoyed the chemistry and the banter. But I could've done without the borderline breeder kink. And I've never been a big fan of any pregnancy trope, even if it's planned. I didn't love hearing the MFC go on and on about possibly becoming a mom.

[Keelia Brynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I unfortunately didn’t enjoy this one very much. I really disliked Wren as a character and I think that affected my overall reading experience.
I think overall I couldn’t relate to her whatsoever: her main character arc is related to pregnancy and wanting children.

If you’re like me and that’s something you don’t relate to and don’t enjoy reading about- I suggest skipping this book.
If you aren’t like me and do relate to her- I still suggest skipping this book as there’s no satisfactory conclusion regarding the pregnancy arc.

I also feel like this was the least christmassy out of the series.

[Caitlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was no Christmas cheer in this book. It was fine as a regular story, but I found most of it to be rather frustrated. It is my least favorite from the author, I think.

[Namary · Rating 3 out of 5]

We spend over 240 pages reading about a woman wanting to be pregnant so badly that she was willing to pay for a sperm donor, and at the end she don’t get pregnant like what?!?! Whyyy make us waste our time reading about when is best time to get pregnant, and all the pregnant talk and then no baby at the end?!?!??

The whole book was her about been in her 30s and needing to be a mom.

We follow Wren a cop that is obsess to become a mom after she get shot on the job, she reconnects with her high school boyfriend that never forgot her and volunteer to get her pregnant (the old fashion way).

The best part of the book is Wren & her dad heart-pulling conversations at the last 25% of the book.
It made me cry so much I give it an extra star.

There a cute Christmasy scene of her and Sam doing Christmas ornaments but other than that they romance was not there was more of smut and them reminiscing of the past. Almost zero Christmasy vibes and definitely not a cozy romance.

[Tampatha · Rating 4 out of 5]

My second favorite in the series, this one delivers all the festive charm you want in a Christmas read.

Wren and Sam’s relationship is truly the heart of the story—sweet, a little awkward, and completely endearing. Their second-chance romance hits all the right notes as they reconnect after almost 20 years and realize just how much life has changed for them both, since their teenage days. I loved watching their new bond grow from hesitant and messy to warm, genuine, and full of chemistry.

Sam was everything I hoped for. He has such a big heart, and the way he meets Wren exactly where she is—no pressure, no expectations—made me fall for him instantly. He’s always known his feelings ran deep, and with some not-so-subtle nudging from his friends, he finally starts to see it for what it really is: love.

I liked Wren’s clarity about what she wanted, even when others didn’t understand her desire to be a mom on her own terms. Her outlook was shaped by her parents’ messy relationship, and that lens frustrated me at times, but her growth felt real and she didn't budge on her desire until it naturally shifted with hers & Sam's relationship. Her heart-to-heart with her dad was one of my favorite moments in the whole book.

Watching Wren and Sam rebuild their connection was fun and emotional—messy, passionate, tender, and sweet all at once. The epilogue wrapped everything up in such a sweet way and I loveed it.

As always being able to hang out with this group of friends in Mistletoe makes you long for them to be yours! They are so supportive, so loving and just have such a great time with one another you can't help but want to be included.

The narration with CJ Bloom & Lee Samuels was perfect! They did such a great job narrating this series.

Lee and CJ’s narration brought them to life beautifully, perfectly capturing the humor, awkwardness, and tender moments of their second chance, not to mention how hot they make the spicy scenes! Their voices made this cozy, festive story even more immersive.

A cozy, heartwarming holiday romance perfect for curling up with a blanket and a peppermint hot chocolate.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

overall rating: 4.5/5
spice 3.5/5
narration 4.5/5

Codi must have saved the best for last (which I appreciate since this is the only one I paid for), because this one is the best of the 3 by far. And I'm not saying that because its got way more spice (I reserve 4 for kink and 5 for full on erotica), though the sex scenes work well, because the heat between these two is palpable right from the beginning. Still it's sweet and tender and emotional, more reminiscent of the first two books in the previous series. It's also the most Christmasy, the couple doing very traditional Christmas activities together and even having a Christmas ornament bandit, dubbed the "grinch" Officer Wren has to track down.

Second Chance Romance really makes the best Christmas Romance given the short time frame that the couple have th fall in love. This couple have a great star-crossed, first love story which allows for a quick and easy intimacy between them both emotionally and physically.

Despite the premise that Sam is the town f@&!boy, he comes off more as the charming rouge of the old Historical Romances and by the end of the book I was thinking of him as more of a man who was so in love with his first love he couldn't imagine being with anyone else. Definitely a book boyfriend. He was willing to do anything for Wren. They have a Soul Mate feel that I just adore.

Though the first two books of this series weren't as good, i have a feeling I'll be listening to all 6 of this books again during future Christmas seasons, looking forward to this one. Especially if we get another 3 book series featuring Wren's brothers.

[Brittany Profit-Rheinwald · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Adorably Cute Holiday Second Chance Romance
From the moment Sam and Wren reconnect in Mistletoe, Idaho, it’s nearly impossible not to wish and hope that these former high school sweethearts rekindle their relationship. This book was adorably cute and perfect for a quick holiday read that captured all the cozy, festive vibes you want in a Christmas romance.

Codi Hall delivers another charming installment in the Mistletoe series with Sam Griffin’s journey from serial dater to committed partner and Wren Little’s struggle to protect her heart while facing her very sexy ex at every turn. The small-town setting provides the perfect backdrop for their second chance at love, and the holiday cheer adds that extra touch of magic to their story.

While it wasn’t my favorite in the series, I still enjoyed spending time with Sam and Wren as they navigated their unresolved feelings and the chemistry that never really went away. This is an easy, breezy read that will leave you smiling and believing in the power of mistletoe and second chances.

Perfect for: fans of small-town romance, second chance love stories, and anyone looking for a sweet holiday escape.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

[Jessica Paige (Exercise_Read_Repeat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wren, a police officer, takes a break from city life to return to her small hometown of Mistletoe, Idaho. She reconnects with her high school boyfriend Sam, but while he is looking to settle down, she is not looking for any baggage.

Thoughts: This was a delightful and charming small-town holiday romance and book three in the Falling in Mistletoe series. I love books with interconnected characters, and Hall does a great job making these characters feel like family and like you grow with them. Wren and Sam never shied away from talking about their past, which I loved because they had history and such a strong connection. Plus, all the holiday joy made it a perfect book to pick up now, but it didn’t overshadow the plot if you plan to read the series later! On audio, CJ Bloom and Lee Samuels brought the story to life. So much so that I binged the book in a day!

Read for:
▪️Holiday books
▪️Second chance romance
▪️PTSP rep
▪️Law enforcement heroine
▪️Bachelor hero
▪️Spicy scenes
▪️Small town romance

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam and Wren’s Christmas romance features a bad boy tattoo artist with a reputation for one night stands, a relationship adverse tough as nails female cop, and a second chance romance 19 years in the making. I have enjoyed Sam’s amusing love ‘em and leave ‘em personality, the camaraderie he shares with his close knit group of friends, and his loving relationship with his brother Clark and his nephew Jace throughout the first 5 books in this series so I was really looking forward to his love story. I’m happy to say that I really enjoyed it! When Sam is scornfully roasted on a call in radio show and he reconnects with his recently returned high school girlfriend, Sam’s trajectory from clueless to considerate is quite endearing and entertaining. I loved Wren’s fierce independence, empathized with her painful childhood, and could relate to her reasons for avoiding emotional entanglements. I appreciated Sam’s emotional maturity, was entertained when the tables are turned and he’s ready to commit but Wren treats him like a convenient way to scratch her itch, and was captivated by the revelation of the backstory of their first failed relationship. Their romance is witty, highly entertaining, and well written without the flaws I noticed in previous books, and the narration performances of CJ Bloom and Lee Samuels are quite enjoyable.

[Holli Jackowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.25)

Mistletoe Mix-Up is easily the most emotionally promising installment in the Mistletoe series, leaning into a first-love-reunion romance with genuine history, longing, and unresolved hurt. Wren and Sam have more depth than any couple so far, and their teenage misunderstanding—fueled by parental interference, missed letters, and a pregnancy scare—gives their reconnection real emotional stakes. The chemistry is strong, the slow burn works, and Sam’s arc in particular feels earned after his steady presence throughout the series.

That said, the book ultimately stays too surface-level for the material it introduces. Major emotional conflicts—especially Wren’s relationship with her father, the stolen letter, and the pregnancy scare—are resolved too quickly or never fully confronted, robbing the story of the deeper catharsis it clearly sets up.

While the holiday rom-com tone is charming and the ending is sweet, this story had the bones of a more meaningful holiday drama about family, trust, and second chances. Instead, it opts for comfort over complexity, making it a satisfying but slightly frustrating read that could have been something truly memorable with just a bit more emotional risk.

[CelKat_reading_hea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, Sweet Second Chance Christmas Romance🎄❤️🎄

Sam Griffin (MMC) Mistletoe’s local tattoo shop artist. Sam’s gotten a bad reputation for loving ‘em’ and leaving ‘em’ with his dating habits and he would like nothing more than to just settle down with the right woman, put money down towards owning his own tattoo studio so, he could be his own boss and business owner.

Wren Little (MFC) Originally from Mistletoe, former childhood girlfriend of Sam’s, now she’s moved back to Mistletoe and is a police officer.
She’s feeling her biological clock ticking and though she’s not sure about any type of relationship, she does know she wants children and can’t avoid men if she wants to have a child.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sam was known for getting with women, but when given the chance to call him out and bash him, the women jumped at the opportunity. He has only been in love once- with his high school girlfriend Wren, but she crushed him.

Wren is back in town and has heard of Sam’s reputation, but even though she has wanted to avoid him, Mistletoe is just too small. Especially too small when she’s looking to get pregnant through insemination. After reconnecting with Sam, he states that he will be her donor. However feelings for both come by quickly.

What I didnt like:
•we didn’t find out why he called her birdy

Spice: 1.5-2/5🌶️

[Shawna Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up.

I really enjoyed Sam and Wren's story. High school sweethearts, second chance romance. No huge miscommunication as a misunderstanding.

I don't love tropes that deal with pregnancy, planned/surprise/trap, but the love story between these two was sweet.

It was the best spice in any of the mistletoe series in my opinion.

It also ran in a parallel timeline to books one and two, but because they weren't main side characters in those books, the overlap wasn't as bothersome as it was in book two.

[Amy Torcaso · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I start a series on purpose or accidentally, I do try to read them all. I read the first one over the summer for Christmas in July and thought it was cute. This one was even better. I was crying tears of love at the end. So romantic and strong love between Wren and Sam. I loved how their story developed from high school until now. Great job. So many characters mentioned that there could be even more holiday stories for Mistletoe. Loved it

[Hannah Mullan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mistletoe Mix-Up by Codi Hall
2 stars ⭐️ ⭐️❄️🎄

This installment gives some of the less popular characters a chance to shine and leans heavily into a second-chance romance, which isn’t usually a trope I enjoy. Unfortunately, it ended up being just as cringeworthy as the previous two books in the series. While I appreciated the attempt to shift focus to different characters, the story didn’t work for me overall. By the end, I was mostly just glad to be finished.

[Melanie Villa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have been under a reading slump for the longest time. I was looking for an easy, maybe even a little corny, romance book to pick me back up to reading. For what I was looking for, it did the job.
The story and plot in this book gave me whiplash. Without spoiling anything, I thought I knew where this story was going, until I no longer knew where the story was going. A littttttle disappointed in the end and felt rushed. But also, it is a small book.
For getting out of my slump, I give this book credit for helping me out on that. Otherwise, cute little one-time read for me.

[Kimberly Rozman · Rating 3 out of 5]

As far as second chance romances go, I did not like the premise for this. I really almost dnf'd it because I don't usually care for characters whose motivation is pregnancy/parenthood, however, I was really rooting for Sam through the previous two books and needed to see him get his HEA, so I'm glad I stuck with it. However, he was wrong for his "secret-surprise" on NYE. It was unnecessary.

[Katelyn W · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this book, but it’s not very Christmas-y and it’s way too sexual. For this type of story, it’s a bit much. I’ve been looking forward to Sam’s story because his character has been mentioned so much in the other books and I’m not sure if it fully delivered.

[Kailey Gimmey · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5) Honestly very cute and cozy Christmas read. Were there aspects I didn’t love? Obviously (the ending :)) BUT the majority made me feel like I was in the small town of Mistletoe, Idaho and I knew each of the characters personally 🤎

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly loved every book in this series and the series before it too. I guess in my head this is a 5 and a few of the other books would be a 6 star read for me but I can’t do that on here😂

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say? Sam and Wren were my favorite couple in this series. How about a spring/summer Mistletoe series?

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Kaitlyn Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okayyy this series is doneee!! Super cute but I think I overloaded on Christmas books

[Nicole Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5. This is the last of a six book series and they just got 🌶️ with each one but i liked these two characters.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for second chance romances! And I loved Sam from the beginning!!

[K C · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tedious