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Chasing Kaylee Kringle

An FBI agent and a small town full of holiday hijinks help a woman in peril in this charming romance from the author of 10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe.

For two years, Kaylee Kringle didn’t stop moving—but then she happened upon Holiday, Idaho. The residents of her new hideout welcomed her with open arms, but as a fugitive she can never fully let her guard down. Falling in love is out of the question when she might have to drop everything and run for her life.

Special Agent Rick Diaz has been searching for Kaylee ever since she played him like a fool. She’s the only one who can testify against a dangerous motorcycle club, and now that he’s found her, Rick isn’t about to let the clever woman with a knack for tugging on his heartstrings slip through his fingers again.

But when a televised Christmas special highlighting Holiday’s Potato Lights Spectacular leads the bikers straight to Kaylee, Rick must rely on the quirky townspeople to help protect his star witness. Kaylee can hardly believe how hard Rick and her newfound family are willing to fight for her. If she can stay alive, this might just be a happily-ever-after worth sticking around for . . .

Tropes small-town romance, holiday romance, enemies to lovers, and found family.

262 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 29, 2026

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Codi Hall

10 books831 followers

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Natalie.
3,720 reviews134 followers
August 22, 2026
Chasing Kaylee Kringle is a fun Christmas story with an interesting plot — the main character Kaylee is pursued by both a motorcycle gang and the FBI agent who wants her to testify against them. Rather than testifying, Kaylee runs away and has been in hiding ever since, stopping when she reaches the charming town of Holiday Idaho.


My favorite part about this book was definitely the festiveness (and uniqueness!) of the town. From the Christmas “tree” (potato!) lighting to the Christmas vibes of the people in town, to the fun Christmas activities, the residents of Holiday were certainly festive and I loved that. I also loved how much everyone in the town accepted and loved Kaylee. They firmly embraced her as their own and that was so nice to see.

I also liked Kaylee as a character. I could definitely understand her desire not to testify and I also liked that she had some spunk and stood up to Rick at times (the flashback scene was particularly funny). The book had many humorous moments throughout which I enjoyed as well. I also found it well written and easy to read.

So; why only 3 stars?

That’s easy — RICK. I didn’t like the MMC at all. He came off as pushy and rude. I liked any scene where Kaylee treated him poorly because he definitely deserved it. From pushing his way into her house and forcing her to put him up to his poor treatment of her guinea pig, I didn’t care for him at all, but what really pushed me over the edge was how unprofessional he was! Oh my goodness, did he need to learn some boundaries! Every time he would say something inappropriate, I got more and more frustrated with Kaylee for putting up with him (not to mention falling in love with him!). I didn’t like him at all.

Overall this was a Christmas romance with a bit of suspense to it which makes it different from some of the other Christmas books out there. It was cute and festive and fun. I just wish I had liked the romance more.



Thank you to the publisher, Podium Entertainment, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Mandy.
511 reviews28 followers
July 4, 2026
Stop flying, sweetheart. I’ve got you.
~
When it comes to you, Kaylee, I’m not the good guy, because a good guy would be able to keep his hands off you.
~
Genius! I think this is my favorite book Codi has ever written. When I saw this book pop up as upcoming this fall, I don’t think ever preordered so fast. No one writes small town romance like Codi, and Holiday, Idaho was no exception. The premise for Chasing Kaylee Kringle was so fun and unique and I absolutely are up the suspense angle of the plot, especially after certain POVs came up. Kaylee is such a lovable and relatable main character, and I adore seeing the way she moves through this town of found family and leaves her mark, finding somewhere that truly feel likes home after all she’s been through. And Pumpkin! We are a Pumpkin stan and he deserves ALL the special guinea pig treats! His stand-offs with Rick were hilariously and perfectly timed. Rick. Oh Rick. The FBI agent who is both obsessed with finishing a years old case and the woman he needs to do it with. And by obsessed in his case, I mean lovingly so, which is evident after his first few jerk-type appearances just how much that was a front and that he truly cares for her. But the antics were hysterical. Rick crashed book club, befriended the town bookstore hermit, followed Kaylee to work, went grocery shopping to replace her oh-so-special brand egg nog, attended the potato lighting and all the other scenarios he wound up in were gold. And the spicy scenes? Chef’s kiss, as Kaylee would say. And the side characters were exactly what I want in a small town romance, from Josie to Jolene to Colin to Benny, and everyone in between. And I really appreciated the nod to the high school science teacher during the showdown 😜 Murderous bikers are no match for small town cheer, and there is no way your frown won’t turn upside down when reading this book. Do yourself a favor and add it to your winter TBR now!
Profile Image for Melissa.
981 reviews3 followers
October 2, 2026
I loved this book so much, it was equal parts entertaining and heartfelt. Kaylee is on the run from a biker gang that killed her best friend, she lands in Idaho in a small town that celebrates holidays. She lives looking over her shoulder keeping to herself and not making any friends in case she needs to run to protect them. The FBI agent, Rick, that helped her years ago and she managed to run from has finally found her. Rick needs Kaylee to give her witness statement in court to put the biker gang in jail but she refuses, she is terrified. Rick not letting Kaylee off the hook manages to crash her life in Holiday, sleeps on her couch, crashes her book club, buys her the viral egg nog and so much more.

Thank you to Podium Entertainment & NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Bette.
3,554 reviews24 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
September 20, 2026
Fabulous Story & Narration🎧Engaging & Entertaining!

Chasing Kaylee Kringle
Holiday, Idaho, Book 1
By: Codi Hall
Narrated by: CJ Bloom, Gregory Salinas

It is always great checking out authors who are new-to-me, even greater when their book turns out to be more than a pleasant surprise, a story like no other and one that is hard to put down because you need to know what happens next. Codi Hall’s book is just that and so much more: a fabulous small-town holiday romance with interesting storylines and characters you can relate to. Kaylee Kringle was not always a Kringle, she took on that name after witnessing a horrific crime in California: the execution of her closest friend by a dangerous biker club, and she has been on the run ever since. The Feds wanted her to testify, but she feared for her life, not trusting they could keep her or her family safe, so she ran away from them too. After two years on the run, she settled in the quirky small town of Holiday, Idaho, and the residents were all accepting of her, and she felt at home with them. Enrique “Rick Diaz” is the F.B.I. agent that Kaylee ran from, getting away from him while he was busy taking care of business. He was not happy with what she did and never gave up searching for her, and when the bureau’s facial recognition program located her, he knew he had to get her. Except getting her was not as easy as he thought, the people in Holiday, Idaho, are very protective of their own. I adored both these characters, each strong-willed and determined, but he has the law on his side, and they make a deal to go back to California where she will testify to bring justice for her friend after the holidays. It was great watching these two get to know each other and see their love/hate relationship morph into something so much more. And we soon learn that Special Agent Diaz was not the only one located Kaylee, but the president of the biker club she was running from found out where she was too. Trouble comes to Holiday, Idaho, but trouble for whom? This masterfully crafted, multi-layered story has the perfect balance of drama, angst, humor via witty dialogue and shenanigans, some heartwarming moments, some thrilling moments, heartfelt emotions, and a slow-burn, but so worth the wait romance. I enjoyed Hall's writing style and her plot, world-building, character growth and development are fantastic. Codi Hall, thank you for this fabulously entertaining story and emotional rollercoaster ride, a holiday story you can enjoy anytime of the year!

🎧📚🎧And for the fabulous audiobook listen and production, CJ Bloom and Gregory Salinas, a perfect pairing and cast, did an amazing job bringing the characters to life. I loved how they took each role and made it their own, sounding believable and just as I imagined the characters would sound. Bloom was a natural in Kaylee’s role, grasping every aspect of her personality, from her vulnerabilities to her wit and sass, to her strength and determination. Salinas was just as wonderful in Rick’s role and did the same with thoroughly showcasing his personality. Both were fantastic performing the roles of the side/secondary characters, too. They handled the witty dialogue effortlessly, and their expressive delivery conveyed all the characters’ emotions, making you feel each one. These two are versatile voice artists, and their engaging performances are not only entertaining but have you glued to the story.
Profile Image for Merrit Townsend (always1morebook) .
1,321 reviews56 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
September 26, 2026
CHRISTMAS, CHAOS, A GUINEA PIG & ONE VERY DETERMINED FBI AGENT!
Okay… I was NOT expecting Chasing Kaylee Kringle by Codi Hall to be quite the ride it turned out to be but I loved it all the same.
Kaylee is on the run after accidentally witnessing something she definitely should NOT have seen and looses her best friend int he process, and now she has an MC club after her. The FBI wants her too, not because she’s done anything wrong, but because they need her to testify. Enter Agent Rick Diaz, whose job is to find Kaylee and get her safely into witness protection.

Simple, right?

Yeah…no. Kaylee, a huge dose of Miralax and one sick agent = Kaylee on the run.

Kaylee has made sure to never stay anywhere long enough to put down roots. She has been on the run for 2 years....ut then she lands in Holiday, Idaho, a town that takes Christmas VERY seriously, and somehow things start to change. She makes friends, finds a best friend, adopts the absolutely adorable Pumpkin the guinea pig , and most importantly, finds a group of people who actually care about her.

And then Rick finds her......The tension between these two was EVERYTHING. Their relationship is complicated from the very beginning, and there are plenty of reasons they shouldn't cross that line. But watching Rick slowly wear down Kaylee's defenses while she fights what she's feeling had me rooting for these two the entire time. The slow burn was SO good, and when they finally give in to those feelings? Oh, hello there. FIRE!!!

But the romance isn't the only thing that kept me hooked. There is suspense, danger, an MC club that absolutely does NOT want to let Kaylee disappear, and an entire town that decides Kaylee is one of their own. And let me just say…when Holiday, Idaho decides it's time to protect one of their own, things get downright hilarious. I cannot tell you what happens without spoiling it, but watching this entire town come together was one of my favorite parts of the story. Let's just say these people take their Christmas spirit and their loyalty VERY, VERY seriously.

And the audiobook?, well CJ Bloom and Gregory Salinas were phenomenal together. Their performances brought the tension, chemistry, emotion, and slow-burn frustration between Kaylee and Rick to life. I absolutely loved listening to them together. They made the relationship feel believable and kept me completely invested in these two. Loved It!

Chasing Kaylee Kringle gave me Christmas vibes, suspense, danger, found family, a seriously complicated romance, hilarious small-town chaos, and a guinea pig named Pumpkin. Honestly, what more could I possibly ask for? If you're looking for a Christmas-ish romance that comes with a little danger, a LOT of tension, plenty of heart, and a town that will absolutely rally around its own, add this one to your holiday TBR.
Profile Image for Ashley Millis.
55 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
September 25, 2026
Chasing Kaylee Kringle was exactly the kind of holiday romance I want this time of year: Christmas chaos, a little danger, a whole lot of chemistry, and a small town full of people who absolutely refuse to mind their own business.

Kaylee immediately had me rooting for her. She’s spent two years running and looking over her shoulder, knowing that if she’s caught, the people she’s hiding from could put her life in serious danger. Then she lands in Holiday, Idaho and somehow finds herself surrounded by a group of people who don’t just welcome her—they decide she’s theirs. That found-family element completely won me over.

And then there’s Rick.

An FBI agent who has been hunting Kaylee down for two years probably isn’t the person you’d expect her to fall for, but their enemies-to-lovers dynamic was SO much fun. The history between them gives all their interactions this extra layer of tension, especially because neither of them is exactly thrilled about the fact that their feelings haven’t gone away.

I loved the combination of romance and suspense in this one. There are genuinely dangerous moments and an ongoing threat from the motorcycle club, but the story never loses its holiday-romance charm. The result is this really fun balance of “someone might be trying to kill her” and “why is the entire town obsessed with Christmas and matchmaking?”

And Holiday, Idaho itself deserves a shout-out. The Potato Lights Spectacular, the eccentric residents, and all the small-town holiday antics gave this book so much personality. It felt like the kind of ridiculous, over-the-top Christmas town I’d absolutely want to visit—as long as nobody was chasing me.

What really surprised me, though, was how much heart this story had. Underneath all the humor, romance, and Christmas festivities are themes of trauma, survival, trust, guilt, and learning that it’s okay to let people care about you. Watching Kaylee slowly realize that she may have finally found somewhere—and people—worth staying for was probably my favorite part.

If you love holiday romance, enemies-to-lovers, small towns, found family, protective heroes, a heroine with a dangerous past, suspense, and plenty of Christmas chaos, add this one to your holiday TBR.

It was funny, romantic, suspenseful, and ridiculously festive.

5 stars from me. This was one Christmas chase I was very happy to be part of.
Profile Image for Misty (Red's Romance Reviews).
3,528 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
September 15, 2026
Kaylee Kringle was on the run and looking for a safe place to fall and the moment she wandered into Holiday, Idaho she knew she had found home... for a moment or two anyway. She is trying to outrun a past that doesn't want to let go and a FBI agent that is determined to catch her before her past finds her!

Chasing Kaylee Kringle is cleverly penned holiday romance that is destined to hit you straight in the heart! Kaylee is a fugitive that has been running from a past that she hopes never finds her, because she knows what the motorcycle gang does to snitches. If that's not enough to worry about she's also got a disgruntled FBI agent looking for her too, and she knows if he catches her she's going to have to testify against the MC. It's an impossible situation she has landed herself in, but if she can lay low for a while maybe they'll forget about her...nice hope anyway! Unfortunately for her though she has just unknowingly made her tv debut and now everyone knows where she's been hiding. Which means she might be relying on strangers to keep her safe...and a handsome but very infuriating FBI agent too!

The moment I read the synopsis for this one I had a feeling it was going to be a good read... I mean what could be more entertaining than a enemies to lovers story with a little danger lurking? My initial feeling was spot on, page after page this book delighted, made me laugh, had me swooning and kept me thoroughly entertained from start to finish! Nobody does romance quite like Ms. Hall, her stories just hit a little different, and always satisfy! Highly recommend this one, it's characters will steal your heart and attention at first meet!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
Profile Image for Katslovesbooks.
1,100 reviews25 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 28, 2026


This was such a great and charming read with a very interesting plot and all the small town holiday vibes that I couldn't stop listening once I started!

Kaylee has been in the run and hiding after witnessing a horrific crime where she lost her best friend in the hands of a dangerous motorcycle club. The Feds wanted her to testify but after learning the truth about the man her best friend was dating she doesn't trust them at all and so she runs away. When she finally settles in the small of Holiday, Idaho she believes she found a place where she can finally breathe. The people there makes her feel welcome and care for.

Agent Rick Diaz has been searching for Kaylee since the night she got away from him. As the key witness in the murder investigation of a federal agent and her best friend he knows she is important to the case and to finally put the leader of the motorcycle club behind bars. When he finally finds her is not that simple for him to take her away because now she has a whole town ready to defend her and so he comes with a plan to stay very close to her.

I really enjoyed how Kaylee and Rick's hate to love relationship progresses. It is so fun and entertaining but also very cute and charming. When Kaylee's life becomes in danger once more she has Rick, the whole town in her corner and her most adorable guinea pig Pumpkin ready to fight with her.

Thank you Podium Entertainment for the ALC of this story. CJ Bloom and Gregory Salinas did an amazing job bringing these characters to live.


Profile Image for Patty.
5,426 reviews54 followers
Review of advance copy
September 3, 2026
Chasing Kaylee Kringle
Holiday Idaho #1
By Codi Hall
Narrated by CJ Bloom, Gregory Salinas

What a fun start to a new series! This is my first Codi Hall book, and I just love finding new authors. This book is funny and has a suspense thread running through it that makes it excited and romantic!
Kaylee has been on the run after seeing her best friend killed. She is trying to keep her family safe, so not testifying against the perpetrator seems to be the answer. When she finally gets to Holiday Idaho, the feeling of home has her settling in, only to be found by the FBI agent, Rick trying to have her testify. Rick would love to get this win on his record, but his attraction to Kaylee is constantly getting in his way of his good judgement. Will he be able to convince her to come home and do her duty? Will his feelings get in the way? And what if the murderer finds her first? This is such a great listen, the kind that had my earbuds in all day just to hear what would happen next. I cannot wait for book 2!

CJ Bloom and Gregory Salinas are fabulous together as they bring this gem to life. Just enough humor to bring out their comedic timing, the chemistry they build between Kaylee and Rick and the secondary characters both in town and those to do with the case all come through with perfect voices and nuances to make the story. I loved this one and their performance.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
96 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
July 2, 2026
Chasing Kaylee Kringle is a fun mashup of romcom and suspense. This book somehow makes Sons of Anarchy and a Christmas Hallmark movie feel like they belong in the same story.

The setting is a quirky holiday town filled with rowdy residents, twinkling Christmas lights, spiked eggnog, a giant potato lighting ceremony, and even an unforgettable naughty Christmas yard display. It creates the perfect festive backdrop. Throw in an adorable pet guinea pig, and the town feels wonderfully eccentric and full of personality.

The suspense kept the story moving, but Codi Hall balanced the danger with well-timed comedic moments that prevented things from ever feeling too heavy. The humor fit naturally into the story.

Codi Hall definitely delivers when it comes to spice in this book. The chemistry between the main characters is intense, and the romance brings plenty of heat. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

If you’re looking for a festive read with danger, humor, spice, and a delightfully offbeat small-town setting, this one is well worth picking up.
Profile Image for Jen Lindsey.
257 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
August 11, 2026
Chasing Kaylee Kringle is a small town hallmark Christmas mystery special with spice!

I liked the suspense aspect of this novel even if I laughed out loud at the use of stink bombs! I can empathize with Kaylee and her trust issues with everything she has gone through in her life. Finally finding her peace in a quirky small town in Idaho where no one knows who she is and accepts her. FBI agent Rick has gone through many obstacles to locate Kaylee, and once he arrives in Idaho she still doesn't make it easy on him. They have undeniable chemistry, hilarious moments, a pet guinea pig who saves the day, and a holiday checklist to give festive cheer.

There is found family that rally around their own ready to take on a notorious bike gang. A book club with lots of heat, an elderly woman who knows how to use her cane, and a Christmas potato lighting. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review. This is a fun and suspenseful holiday read packed with heat and moments that keep you on the edge of your seat.
Profile Image for Shannon.
9,553 reviews463 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
September 26, 2026
This holiday suspense novel was UTTERLY delightful!! I laughed from start to finish a d can’t decide which part I liked best. A woman on the run, Kaylee Kringle is hiding in the small town of Holiday, Idaho where the townspeople have adopted her as one of their own.

Terrified of being found by the biker gang who killed her best friend, Kayley is shocked when Rick, the Special Agent she gave the slip to two years ago, shows up wanting to bring her back to testify.

What follows is a forced proximity, sexy slow burn that has Rick working hard to keep Kaylee safe and win her heart all the wooing her with festive potato fun and the spicy books he reads for her book club.

Excellent on audio with duet narration by CJ Bloom and Gregory Salinas. This is sure to be a standout holiday read for me this season. Highly recommended if you enjoy romantic suspense spicy holiday love stories like Alta Hensley’s Naughty or nice books. Many thanks to the publisher for an early ALC in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Dana Sessa.
209 reviews13 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
July 31, 2026
I have been a Codi Hall fan for quite some time and truly enjoy all of her books. She has a wonderful ability to interweave romance with the magic of the holidays while capturing the charm of small-town life. Her stories beautifully highlight themes of love, friendship, and family, making them feel both heartfelt and comforting.

Chasing Kaylee Kringle by Codi Hall is a charming holiday romance filled with small-town warmth, adventure, and the spirit of the season. Her characters are thoughtfully developed, each bringing their own unique personality, depth, and experiences to the story. Both Kaylee and Rick are on personal journeys that ultimately bring them together while still allowing them the space to grow, heal, and discover more about themselves.

Chasing Kaylee Kringle is a delightful read for anyone who enjoys holiday romances filled with warmth, charm, and heart. A must-read for fans of festive stories that celebrate love, connection, and the magic of the season!
Profile Image for Sabrina | thebookishspot.
432 reviews12 followers
Review of advance copy
August 28, 2026
✨️ALC Review✨️

3⭐️ for Chasing Kaylee Kringle

I wanted to love this one, but it wasn't the right fit for me unfortunately. The narrators both did great jobs with their characters, it was more so the actual story and Rick's character that I didn't love.

Rick gave me the ick, it's as simple as that. He chases after her under false pretenses, lies to her, repeatedly ignores her "no" and her refusal to testify because he thinks he knows best and that just didn't work for me.

The pacing felt off to me as well, which kept me from fully embracing the storyline. I did enjoy the small town setting and the side characters were interesting enough, if slightly ridiculous.

Ultimately I couldn't get over my dislike of Rick, which tainted the whole thing for me, but it's just a matter of personal preference.

Thank you to Podium Audio for a copy in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Nicole Gemme.
382 reviews22 followers
September 1, 2026
3 Stars

I truly wanted to love this. I received an ALC copy from Podium Entertainment.

The premise was there, small town vibes, our FMC living in a small town, on the run from previous life… but the MMC Rick comes out of nowhere, chasing Kaylee under false pretenses… they have/had history & i guess lucky for him it worked.

There were a lot of characters and stuff going on but I sadly didn’t jive with it 100%. The HEA was nice.

out 9/29!

Ps- i LOVED the narrators!
Profile Image for Samantha Cobb.
135 reviews5 followers
September 14, 2026
NETGALLEY ARC

3.25ish ⭐️
3ish 🌶️

this was definitely different than any other christmas book i’ve read. it was not very christmasy to be honest until the end. there were very few christmas elements i found that stood out, they felt more like they were just there to fit the bill.

the writing itself was a little immature and felt extremely rushed. the development felt more like a puzzle, i kept having to piece the book together. not to mention the third person was more inner-monologue than anything else. it was dual-pov but both characters kept getting lost in their head in the middle of conversations or in the middle of scenes— it made it feel like an out of body experience.

overall i got a real kick out of the story. it was cute and made me giggle. i’d definitely recommend if you’re just looking for something light that will get you in the christmas spirit
931 reviews2 followers
September 29, 2026
I applaud Codi halls attempt at romantic suspense, but it definitely missed the mark for me. I really liked the characters and the romance was sweet. But the christmasy vibes were lacking and the fbi suspense was super half-assed. It was like she did no research and just guessed.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Very grateful for the ARC that was provided by the publisher via Netgalley 🙌🏽
Profile Image for Holly McRae.
143 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
July 15, 2026
I really enjoyed Chasing Kaylee Kringle! It was a fun, lighthearted holiday romance with plenty of Christmas spirit, small-town charm, and a little bit of suspense. I especially liked the found-family aspect and the chemistry between Kaylee and Rick.

Reading a Christmas story in the middle of summer was definitely a little funny, but it also made for a fun change of pace! Overall, this was a cute and entertaining read that put me in the holiday mood.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews