Nick and Noel's Christmas Playlist

Mistletoe Romance #1

by Codi Hall, Brooke Bloomingdale (Narrator), Edward Thomas (Narrator)

Press play on happily ever after in this charming, heartfelt holiday rom-com.

Nick Winters and Noel Carter have known each other their whole lives. After years of shared family holidays, working together on the Winters’ Christmas tree farm, and being each other's safe haven, they wouldn't dream of crossing the line from friends to something more....

But when Nick comes home for the holidays after serving overseas and finds that his long-term girlfriend has decided to get her stocking stuffed elsewhere, Noel is there to pick him up and show him that instead of a Blue Christmas he can still have a Wonderful Christmastime without his cheating ex.

A night on the town and an impulsive kiss later has Noel thinking that perhaps this year they’ll be rockin’ around the Christmas tree as a couple, but only if the ghost - er rather - girlfriend of Nick's Christmas past doesn’t decide to haunt their holiday....

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Holiday, Audiobook, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary, Fiction

11 pages, Audible Audio

First published November 24, 2020

Reviews

[Bryce Rocks My Socks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hallmark but they fuck

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me remind of how fabulous to celebrate Christmas anytime you wish if you preserve its true spirit. You can even celebrate in August when you get an arc copy of one of the sweetest romcoms you recently read!

There are so many positive elements of this story make you giddy, smile ears to ears, warm your heart and brighten your dark mood with rainbow colors!

Both Nick and Noah were adorable.
Nick’s family is one of the sweetest fictional families you’d like to encounter in real life!
A brief fake dating ( correction: kissing) for revenging their exes, friends to lovers theme executed well.

Supporting characters are also quite brilliant. Momma Victoria, Anthony are my favorites.

You want to get transported to the small town the story takes place and buy a house, working at Christmas tree farm, making friends with those characters ( at least it’s amazing getaway for one month!)
Summary of the plot: Noah serves at overseas and he finds out his girlfriend cheated on him when he was away but he can quickly heal his emotional wounds as soon as he reunites with his childhood friend Noel he hasn’t seen for 8 years.
As they spend more time, sharing their special playlists, the undeniable attraction blooms but Noel already lost her parents ten years ago and she doesn’t want to risk losing their unique friendship.

As you can imagine there are intimate angst moments and Noel’s grief and pain for the loss of her family reflected quiet realistically from her POV!

Overall: quick, sweet, easy, feelgood read which fills your heart with happiness. Definitely recommended to the ones who deserve celebrating Christmas any time they want! Just keep your spirits high!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

[Tina(why is GR limiting comments?!!) · Rating 2 out of 5]

It pains me when I can't finish a book but I'm learning to just give up. I read up to 50%.

A friends -to- lovers story. I liked the sound of the premise. I liked the idea of the Christmas playlist the hero made for the heroine. Unfortunately this one did not play out very well for me.

I concure this is not for me. Perhaps I'm the wrong age bracket for this type of love story. I just found the lovers too immature and the dialogue just not for me.

I was expecting a heartwarming Christmas story. There is not much Christmas to this story and it did not give me the warmth I crave for when reading these types of stories.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for granting me access to this Advance Reader Copy.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a steamy good Christmas read— rated R for adult content 🔥🔥🔥🤗 Friends turned more- bit predictable- but still enjoyable. 👍

[Eeva · Rating 1 out of 5]

This will not be a proper review.
This will not even be a serious case of ranting.
This will be me showing you quotes and commenting on it.

Just so you know, I picked up this book because everyone and their mother loved it. The amount of wanking over this book on instagram was UNREAL, so I thought why not... welll... i'll tell you why not.

First of all the characters in this book are called Nick, Noel, Merry and Holly.
Like, I get that this is in fact a Christmas-themed book, but this is a little too heavy-handed EVEN to me.
Oh, and they live in a little town called MISTLETOE.
Jesus take the wheel.

Ok, let's go with the quotes. Most of them come from Noel chapter, who's an insufferable twat and the biggest reason this book is a dumpster fire.
Have fun.
OR NOT.

Although she loved Merry and Holly like they were her blood sisters, they were as bad as her friend gabby when it came to that high-pitched girly noise they made when they get excited

EXCUSE ME??? GIRLY WHAT?

Jillian's perfectly contoured cheek, heavy fake lashes, and glossy lips didn't need a filter. she was always camera-ready beautiful, while Noel's insta boasted pics of the things she loved like sunsets, BBQ pork sandwiches, and her friends instead of her usually makeup-free face

Ooooooh I get it now. Noel is not like the other girls! She's ONE OF THE BROS! She like bbq pork sandwiches and she doesn't wear makeup.
And she doesn't giggle!

Noel had never seen the appeal, but Gabby and Amber clicked in high school. While Noel was had been the steadfast, low-key friend, Amber was the fun one. She liked to party and shop for hours. Talk girly things like hair, makeup and boys.

And Noel was in intellectual friend. Not like girly girl Amber. She liked serious manly things like bbq sandwiches, beer and other manly and intellectual things. Not like other girls, mind you.

Gabby held out her hand with a giggle, Amber oohing and ahhhing over the princess-cut diamond. Noel really wasn't into big, sparkly jewels and what she did wear was small and sentimental

Of course she wasn't... because in case you've forgotten SHE WASN'T LIKE THE OTHER GIRLS, PEPOLE!!!

Trip threw his hands up. "I'm just asking. For years guys in this town have been chasing Noel, trying to crack through all her damage."

Aaaaaah, of course every guy in town was into our unique girl Bella... I mean, Noel.

"Amber said I don't have any female friends because I'm a slut and no one likes me. That's why I only hang with guys"

Oh no, Noel, babes. You don't have any female friends because you shit on other women for being girly and your air of superiority in unbearable.

"Besides, I have to admit, lately I've been thinking that maybe I've been to hasty, writing off love, marriage, and kids"

Oh ok, the favourite "the right man will set you straight" trope is here. How uexpected.

"Whatever, you sent me Sixpence None the Richer"
"So? 'Kiss Me' is a classic"
"A classic, girly piece of crap"

THIS! This is why you don't have any female friends, Noel.
No one likes a pick-me-girl.


So, as you can see, this books is a real gem when you want to play "not like the other girls" book bingo.

Also spoiler alert there is no Christmas Playlist in this book whatsoever.
I mean there is "A" Playlist that's been talked about for like two pages and few songs titles being thrown here and there but that's it.
So what I'm saying is that this titles is LIES.

Also this is like the second book I've read this week, where someone gets a LIVE ANIMAL as a Christmas present.
Like, FFS, pets are not gifts. So not cool.
Just because someone says "Oh I wish I had a cat" DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOUD GIVE THEM A CAT. I didn't realise things like that have to even be said.

Also, it;s 2021and we're still getting books where main conflict is centered around two women hating on each other and fighting with each other over a mediocre man.
It's cheap and an easy way out as it doesn't require any creative thought from authors. Just feeding stereotypes. So, you know, SHAME ON YOU.

Anyways, this book was pure trash and I'd give it zero stars if I could.
I sort of read it so you wouldn't have to. And because apparently I'm a glutton for punishment.
You're welcome.

[Heidi (can’t retire soon enough)]

DNF at 40% read.

Why? Because the book isn’t nearly as charming as the premise. Enjoyed the first 20% but got a serious case of the “blahs” when I realized the story line was gonna stay in neutral for another 100 pps.

So, not the holiday romance I was craving, but I do understand why it worked for some. Just not for me!

(Reviewed 10/30/23)

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Cute Friends to Lovers Christmas Romance, and this is the first book in the Mistletoe Romance series. I loved this book, and the characters in this book was so much fun getting to know. I felt the romance between the two main characters in this book so cute and fun. There was some very funny moments in this book, but there is also some moments that may you think about things. I cannot wait for the next book in this series. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Sourcebooks Casablanca) or author (Codi Hall) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

[Larissa Cambusano · Rating 3 out of 5]

hallmark but with some spice. some moments were way too cheesy for my liking, but cute nonetheless. however, the one thing I can’t stand is girls being pit against each other in real life, movies, or books.. so the fact that this was full of that made this rating go all the way down. nick & noel were cute but their friends to lovers felt really rushed. it was definitely good, but nothing too special.

[Rachel L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay but like, this wasn’t a Christmas book.

Nick and Noel’s Christmas Playlist is about two best friends who reunite around the holidays after nine years apart. Noel lost her family when she was a teenager and was taken in by Nick’s family and both of them joined the military right after high school. When Nick ends his army career he returns home, only for his long time girlfriend to dump him. So Nick and Noel have an impromptu plan: fake date each other so their exes will be jealous.

This book really had all the ingredients and a poor recipe as the base. Best friends to lovers, fake dating, Christmas romance. And yet halfway through the book I kept thinking to myself “nothing is happening and why is this book so long?”. I felt almost no chemistry between Nick and Noel except during the steamier scenes (which wasn’t much). I don’t know. I guess even though I wasn’t expecting much from this book, I expected more? I enjoyed the first half of the book so three stars, the second half of the book is where it lost me.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎄A Comforting Christmas Cliché 🎄

Not overly Christmas-y and a bit too full of OW drama, but when the couple was actually together, this was cute. Hallmark would like this one, it follows their formula pretty closely.
I did like that the heroine was the promiscuous commitment-phobe and the hero the one looking for his HEA, that was a nice change from the norm. Plus black cat/golden retriever is my fave this year, even if this black cat was a bit of a Pick Me. I like when the men have to do the emotional work me the women are stunted by trauma, for once.
Overall it was a pretty cosy audiobook you can turn your brain off for.

[Meags · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Likable leads, sizzling chemistry and a charming small-town, Christmastime setting, Nick and Noel's Christmas Playlist is a friends-to-lovers romance that charmed and delighted... for the most part.

I enjoyed so much about this story. I liked the writing, the pace and the progression of the relationship development. I loved the characters of Nick and Noel, along with Nick’s wonderful family members and their joint friends. I loved the banter and the music-talk. I liked witnessing their decades long friendship, which was a bond as strong as blood, effortless and so very believable—making the transition to lovers all the more weighted in history and deep affection.

What I didn’t enjoy was the endless presence of the dreaded ex’s, namely, Nick’s ex-girlfriend and Noel’s livelong nemesis, Amber. I get this character played a major role in basically ALL of the conflict and was therefore pivotal to the story, but she was so intensely horrible, with absolutely nothing redeemable about her, that I found myself becoming increasingly distressed whenever she was on page, being cruel, petty and manipulative… which was practically every few pages.

I’ve read reviews that express how childish the characters were, and I can relate to this in terms of Amber and her impact on the other characters. Noel was dragged down in my esteem a time or two whenever she would engage with Amber’s bullshit, and I would find myself thinking how immature it all was, but at the end of the day, if I was faced with someone’s relentless vitriol like Noel was here, I think I would have snapped and done some pretty irrational things, too.

So, basically, I really liked everything about this story, but I hate that it was dragged down so heavily by Amber’s toxicity. It was largely unnecessary, turning an otherwise joyful, steamy romance, into a chore at times, which is a damn shame.

Will I be back for the sequel? Yes, I will, because I generally liked the writing quality and the story, and part of me is desperately hoping that Amber is MIA and whatever conflict befalls the next couple is something completely new and not so rage inducing. *fingers crossed*

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ about 65%

There was no 'heartwarming' in this Christmas story. Instead it was a series of nasty catfights and arguments between the heroine and the hero's bitchy ex-girlfriend. I almost stopped listening several times but kept thinking it would get better and we'd get past the nastiness. I finally gave up after the two of them had a physical fight, trashing their friend's home and breaking her nose. This is not what I want in a Christmas-themed book!

[Reese · Rating 1 out of 5]

okay. where to even start with this god awful piece of literature.
first: the grammatical errors. (i.e. every time they said “Winterses” when referring to someone of the Winters family. ITS JUST WINTERS’. STOP. another honourable mention: “Do your worst” “I was planning too.” TOO? TOO?!?!? i mean really, did anyone proof read this??)

second: the internalized misogyny from both Amber AND Noel. the slut shaming of Noel was a HARD no. but Noel hated Amber for totally unrelated reasons other than her torment for years. she hated her for wearing feminine clothing and makeup. thought we were past the high school bullshit but i guess not. not to mention that noel couldn’t stop mentioning she was “one of the guys” WE. GET. IT. MOVE ON!!!! not only was there INTERNALIZED misogyny but also FLAT OUT misogyny by Noel’s very own “bros” calling Amber names for simply wearing a shirt to the bar??? get out. get OUT.

third: the highschool BULLSHIT that was spewed from both Noel and Amber when what they SHOULDVE been doing is supporting their mutual friend while she was planning her wedding. instead, they were busy smashing appetizers into each other’s faces and BREAKING THE BRIDES NOSE IN THE PROCESS?? (i mean really, Gabby is better than me because i would’ve NEVER forgiven either of them for that) what makes it worse is that their “rivalry” (if you can even called it that) was never actually resolved or sorted out, just kind of crammed half hazardly into the end of the book when Amber was magically a better person.

fourth: the lack of character development. okay look, i get that a lot of Noel’s character arch came from her parents passing. I don’t have an issue with that. what i do have an issue with is the lack of ARCH. she really went from fear of anything relationship to talking about children because Nick dicked her down. hate to break it! but not really how it works!!

fifth: the way that the plot line JUST. KEPT. REPEATING. there was a fight with Noel and Amber. there was a fight with Nick and Amber. there was a confrontation between Noel and Trip. Nick and Trip fight. Noel and Nick fight. Noel has commitment issues. Nick and Noel makeup. repeat 3-4 times with a subpar smut scene and a christmas tree mention thrown in. you have this book. the thing is, this book could be about 100 pages shorter and i would have enjoyed it so much more. it’s just so unnecessary.

sixth: like i said. subpar smut. THE ONE THING THAT COULDVE SAVED THIS BOOK. and it was fade to black. and not that good (didn’t like the use of the word “seam”)

seventh: the dialogue was SO choppy and awkward??? WHAT was the point of that? i mean it might’ve been okay if it was in audiobook form but honestly, if it needs to rely on someone reading it in order for it to flow, it’s not good. like it’s just not.

eighth: what was the plot? what was the timeline? ur gonna say he shows up late november after eight months apart and then they’re gonna be moving in by the new year? sorry, but no. idc how well you know each other. that’s doesn’t work for me.

all in all, i would like to say that i am NOT. against the cheese. i love cheese. gimme all the cheese and the hallmark christmas movies. but when a book reads like it was written and edited by a 10 year old that just discovered how to swear, it’s a no from me. i have officially found a book WORSE than the hating game.

[Sammie Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was adorable and hilarious, and I LOVED IT. It was brimming with Christmasy things, mostly in the names, such as the setting of Mistletoe, Idaho. Nick Winters is back from the military and ready to settle back into his life with his longtime girlfriend Amber. He's also excited to pick things up with his childhood best friend, Noel, who lived with him and his family after her parents died ten years ago. Noel cannot stand Amber, nor can his family, but that ends up being a moot point because Amber dumps him the second he shows up at her place. And when Nick and Noel see their exes at a bar with new people the same day they're both dumped, Noel doesn't think twice before kissing Nick so that they can both save face.

Nick is shocked at how he feels when kissing Noel, and it brings back feelings that he had when returning from Basic, how he wanted to kiss her, but she went to get a drink and Amber took her seat, the same night they started dating. Noel felt the same that night, but once Amber inserted herself, she wrote off any possibility of her and Nick. Now, he's making his interest known, but Noel has always held relationships, marriage, and children at arms length, convinced they weren't for her.

While Noel completely frustrated me for lots of the story, and I wanted to straight up bitch slap Amber, I really enjoyed this sweet book! I love how Nick and Noel performed together, and couldn't stay apart or hide their feelings from other people. LOVED Nick's sisters and can't wait to read their books. Nick's parents were lovely, but most of all I loved Nick to pieces. I laughed out loud, teared up just a bit, and let out a HELL YEAH when Nick, Anthony, and Pike defended Noel throughout the book. Well done!

[Maida · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Solid story I call sexified Hallmark Holiday romance. The characters were well drawn and mostly likable. I liked the dialogue but felt that some narrative could have been edited out. The narrators were great and the playlist had a nice variety.

I’d have liked it better if there was less push and pull, less focus on Amber’s villainy, less repetition of Noel’s hangups, and more faults in Nick’s characterization.

[Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t like this one as much as the last one🤧

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why do I do these things to myself? Why did I say "You know, Karen, it's Christmas time. A new year is coming. Maybe you could be a sweeter, less cynical person next year. Maybe read books of a less dark and murderous variety and you might become brighter, sunnier, more laid back and easy going." Then I see that Audible has 3 Christmas romance books for free and I download all of them with too much excitement and not much forethought, similar to the giggly, delusional, airheaded main characters of this one, who I apparently want to be.

Note to self: stop it.

This was painful to get through and I should have DNF but I was driving around and 80% finished when I realized it, and I didn't have my next audiobook locked and loaded so I just increased the playback speed to finish quickly.

The only "Christmassy" things about this story:
1) The Winters family comprises members named Nick, Chris, Holly, Victoria and Mary (it's probably Merry, but I don't know - it's an audiobook)
2) The Winters family own a Christmas tree farm
3) The story takes place in a town called Mistletoe
4) The female protagonist is named Noel (not Noelle, which would make sense, but Noel)
5) Someone gets married on Christmas Eve or Day (I can't even remember)

There is a playlist but it's not really for Christmas. Nick's favourite song is "You Shook Me All Night Long" by AC/DC and Noel's favourite song is some forgettable '90s tune that... I forgot. At the very end of the book there is a list of the 50 songs on the playlist. The narrator reads them all out loud! What. It's an actual list at the very end, in its own chapter so I don't even understand why it matters. I fast-forwarded through and it seemed to be a mix of mostly non-holiday and a few holiday tunes.

Anyway, this book was about two best friends, Nick and Noel, who touch foreheads and kiss each other on the head/face more often than any real romantic couple I actually know. They aren't a couple; they're just friends. Then they start to think they want to be a couple. They talk about their feelings, she cries, they talk with their friends about their feelings, she cries, they bicker with each other and bicker with their friends and you know what? Bickering is just people angrily talking about their feelings. This was 10 hours (or 8ish hours) of awful. I have learned nothing and I'm more cynical than ever.

Why can't characters fall in love while agreeing with each other and while searching for hidden treasure on mysterious islands populated by mutant killer dinosaurs?

My new year's resolution is to DNF books I hate earlier, and write longer reviews about books I actually enjoy.

Recommended for no one. Bah humbug. My heart remains 3 sizes too small.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oof... this had it's cute moments but overall I was just left frustrated and irritated. Between the negatively gendered language (can we stop calling men girls as an insult?), the obnoxious fighting between 26 year old women (they literally punch each other), absolutely childish lack of communication, and constant sex shaming...

[Karsyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

12-1-21: 3.5/5 stars!
This was absolutely adorable, and I love a book with a playlist attached.
There were a lot of great moments in this! Very cute, Hallmark-worthy for sure. If this were a movie, I would definitely watch this for like a girls night (Christmas movies, pajamas and boozy hot chocolate style). Was there a lack of legitimate conflict for Nick and Noel to really go through? Yea, kinda. But that's totally fine! No one is watching Hallmark Christmas movies for the conflict and meaty character development! You're watching the Hallmark movies to see the city girl return to her small hometown and fall in love with the local lumberjack and realize her big city job is a dud and she just wants the white picket fence life! Or something like that 😉 So yea, definitely enjoyable for a cutesy, Holiday read!

12-14-23 re-read 4⭐️ idk what I was on the first time around cause this was def 4 full stars. I was on a half-star rating rampage last year and it’s an era that is past now 😂

12-8-24 re-read: not me disagreeing with my 2023 review and reverting back to agreeing with my original 😂😂 I wonder how I’ll feel about this in 2025

[debs ༉‧₊˚. · Rating 3 out of 5]

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 3.25 stars
"You and me? That's all I need. The way I feel for you, Noel, is something I can't control and I don't want to live without you. You are it for me."

[Wendy W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars ⭐⭐⭐⭒
Nick and Noel's Christmas Playlist by Codi Hall is a light, fun holiday romance and is the first in the author’s Mistletoe Romance series. I enjoyed this somewhat steamy, quick romance that is perfect for the holiday season.

Noel is a busy nurse in a labor and delivery ward at the local hospital. Nick, has just returned from a stint in the military. Noel and Nick grew up together as their mothers were best friends. When Noel was younger, her parents died in a car crash just before Christmas, and Nick’s family, the Winters, took her in and cared for her until she joined the military and got her nursing degree.

The book starts with Nick returning home, excited to spend time with his girlfriend, Amanda. Instead of the joyful reunion Nick expected, he was dumped on his first day back. As he begins to realize that Amanda wasn’t the perfect girlfriend he had always thought she was, his thoughts turn to his best friend Noel, and how she is the one that has always been there for him.

Nick and Noel’s Christmas Playlist is a light, fun romantic comedy that I enjoyed. I felt so much compassion for Noel and was rooting for her to figure out what she really wants in life. Nick is just wonderful, he’s such a good guy, and I loved his family as well. I did not care for Amber, the ex-girlfriend of Nick, and I thought the feud between Amber and Noel was a bit over the top and childish. Also, the book had a few too many childish antics from Nick’s friends for my taste. But, overall the book was enjoyable. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[BernLuvsBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friends to lovers holiday romance with some salty, troublemaking exes, a delightful cast of side family/friends characters and some fun 🔥! ⁣
⁣
I enjoyed this one! It was fun and I honestly enjoyed watching the two BFFs finally admit their feelings for each other and come together. ⁣There was a great cast of characters with the families and friends which I always love. Plus, the troublemaking exes made for some funny scenes - girl cat fight involving food flying and a BFFs broken nose anyone 🤣⁣
⁣
If you want a fun, flirty read with some decent steam I definitely recommend it! ⁣
⁣

⁣

[Antonella · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute!!

[Wendy W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars ⭐⭐⭐⭒
Nick and Noel's Christmas Playlist by Codi Hall is a light, fun holiday romance and is the first in the author’s Mistletoe Romance series. I enjoyed this somewhat steamy, quick romance that is perfect for the holiday season.

Noel is a busy nurse in a labor and delivery ward at the local hospital. Nick, has just returned from a stint in the military. Noel and Nick grew up together as their mothers were best friends. When Noel was younger, her parents died in a car crash just before Christmas, and Nick’s family, the Winters, took her in and cared for her until she joined the military and got her nursing degree.

The book starts with Nick returning home, excited to spend time with his girlfriend, Amanda. Instead of the joyful reunion Nick expected, he was dumped on his first day back. As he begins to realize that Amanda wasn’t the perfect girlfriend he had always thought she was, his thoughts turn to his best friend Noel, and how she is the one that has always been there for him.

Nick and Noel’s Christmas Playlist is a light, fun romantic comedy that I enjoyed. I felt so much compassion for Noel and was rooting for her to figure out what she really wants in life. Nick is just wonderful, he’s such a good guy, and I loved his family as well. I did not care for Amber, the ex-girlfriend of Nick, and I thought the feud between Amber and Noel was a bit over the top and childish. Also, the book had a few too many childish antics from Nick’s friends for my taste. But, overall the book was enjoyable. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for charming and sexy read to add to your December TBR consider this one! Friends to lovers is usually just ok for me but I really liked it here and so enjoyed seeing Nick and Noel’s relationship go from friends to something more. Although I really liked both of them the secondary characters really stole the show for me. They have a hilarious group of friends and Nick’s family was delightful, I’m thrilled this is a start to a series because I need more of these people. There is also plenty of depth here too as Noel is grieving the loss of her parents so it’s not just all laughs, though it is really funny too! While there is some Christmas charm it wasn’t overly holiday heavy so you could definitely read this anytime. Overall just a really well balanced and entertaining read!

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked this up expecting a Christmas! Romance.

A friends-to-lovers romance at a family Christmas! tree farm set to a soundtrack of Christmas! carols at Christmas! time. I mean, look at the cover! It has Christmas in the title! The main characters are Nick and Noel, the town is called Mistletoe.

Nick and Noel's Christmas Playlist is grossly lacking in both Christmas and playlists! How are these things not the merriest and brightest bits of the story? They're in the title! Any passing mentions of Christmas or even music feel very crowbarred in in a very disappointing way. Huge letdown.

That aside, I didn't care for the (very underdeveloped) characters, the (surface level) romance arc was very poorly plotted, there is a distracting secondary plotline involving cattiness between Noel and Nick's ex which is distasteful and takes up way too much of the spotlight, and the story is basically all dialogue, which contributes to the lack of atmosphere and development. Perhaps this plays better in the audio format, which is how the story was originally released. It's also just under 400 pages, which is unreasonable given the thin plot.

A disappointing mess. I wish the inside of the book better matched the outside.

[Cyndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you do when your friend gets his heart broken? You be there for him. Our heroine and hero have been friends most of their lives. But they haven't seen each other for awhile because he left to work overseas. While he was gone the girl he thought he was in love with cheated on him. Now he is back home for Christmas and his long time friend is there for him. What he doesn't know is that she has had a crush on him for years but didn't want to rock the boat on their friend-ship. (get it? Boat, ship? Maybe its just the nerd in me that loves word plays. Anyway...)
This is a cute friends to lovers romance with some Christmas tossed in to make it fun.

[Syndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nick and Noel's Christmas Playlist is cute. A Hallmark movie cute. But with R rating. I like the characters. Their banter is super cute. The plot is light and lighthearted.

I read Miss Hall book long time ago and glad that I can pick this one up.

Overall a good book.

4 stars

[Nana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute friends-to-lovers Christmas romance, I found the Hero's ex-girlfriend thing unnecessary, but overall I loved Nick and Noel as a couple.

[marta the book slayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes you just get into a cheesy, Christmas, romantic mood and because you refuse to pay for Hallmark channel, you are stuck with the next best thing: this book.