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Kringle Family Christmas #3
Jingle Bell Beard
My to do list:
Revive my crashed PR career.
Turn around the Kringle family business by Christmas.
Convince my ex-boyfriend, NHL legend Matt “the Mountain” Kringle, to help me, even though I broke his heart when we were seventeen.
Easy, right?
Matt is huge, he’s hot, and he’s the grumpiest player in the league. I’ll have to brave his bad attitude and his sexy beard if I want him to help bail out the family business and put my career back on track. I’ll also have to try to forget - again - what an amazing kisser he is.
None of it is going to be easy. Not when Matt’s arrival in town leads to the Airport Incident and the Candy Cane Scandal - talk about embarrassing. But as Matt and I navigate disaster after disaster together, I’ll have to get over the fact that I never got over him. And that love with Matt is a game I just might want to play.
Revive my crashed PR career.
Turn around the Kringle family business by Christmas.
Convince my ex-boyfriend, NHL legend Matt “the Mountain” Kringle, to help me, even though I broke his heart when we were seventeen.
Easy, right?
Matt is huge, he’s hot, and he’s the grumpiest player in the league. I’ll have to brave his bad attitude and his sexy beard if I want him to help bail out the family business and put my career back on track. I’ll also have to try to forget - again - what an amazing kisser he is.
None of it is going to be easy. Not when Matt’s arrival in town leads to the Airport Incident and the Candy Cane Scandal - talk about embarrassing. But as Matt and I navigate disaster after disaster together, I’ll have to get over the fact that I never got over him. And that love with Matt is a game I just might want to play.
185 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 5, 2021
207 people are currently reading
1221 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 286 reviews
December 13, 2021
3 Bah Humbug Stars ⭐
I guess I'm getting coal in my stocking for writing an unpleasant review about one of my favorite authors. Yep this story was easy to read and a good addition to the series... but I wasn't thrilled with the whole Jingle Bell Beard storyline.
So we're happily back in Salt Springs and newly appointed PR manager Jasmine Collingwood is bringing out the big guns to save The Kringle Inn and Tree farm, oh and her career. How? Well she's going to get the prodigal son and her high school boyfriend Matt Kringle to come home.
Seventeen years is a long time to be hung up on your ex, yet both Jasmine and Matt are. With his Hockey Career almost over, Matt wouldn't come home to save the family business for his father or siblings, but he did for Jasmine. Nice bloke...
We were a column of blazing heat in the December cold. And I replaced all of those old, teenage memories of making out with Matt Kringle with new ones. Hotter ones. Better ones.
Anyways, these two are reunited whilst caught up in the spirit of Christmas and social media. With careers and livelihoods at stake, they enter a fake relationship, even though they're still in love, both are looking for something serious but for some peculiar reason, not with each other.
This wasn't bad perse, it was just average. It felt like going around unnecessary circles. You would think that after all that time apart, you'd be grabbing his baubles with two hands without second guessing every decision.
I guess I'm getting coal in my stocking for writing an unpleasant review about one of my favorite authors. Yep this story was easy to read and a good addition to the series... but I wasn't thrilled with the whole Jingle Bell Beard storyline.
So we're happily back in Salt Springs and newly appointed PR manager Jasmine Collingwood is bringing out the big guns to save The Kringle Inn and Tree farm, oh and her career. How? Well she's going to get the prodigal son and her high school boyfriend Matt Kringle to come home.
Seventeen years is a long time to be hung up on your ex, yet both Jasmine and Matt are. With his Hockey Career almost over, Matt wouldn't come home to save the family business for his father or siblings, but he did for Jasmine. Nice bloke...
We were a column of blazing heat in the December cold. And I replaced all of those old, teenage memories of making out with Matt Kringle with new ones. Hotter ones. Better ones.
Anyways, these two are reunited whilst caught up in the spirit of Christmas and social media. With careers and livelihoods at stake, they enter a fake relationship, even though they're still in love, both are looking for something serious but for some peculiar reason, not with each other.
This wasn't bad perse, it was just average. It felt like going around unnecessary circles. You would think that after all that time apart, you'd be grabbing his baubles with two hands without second guessing every decision.
November 7, 2024
JINGLE BELL BEARD is the final book in the Kringle Family Christmas trilogy and it was really cute. In this second chance romance, Matt, a famous hockey player, comes home to Colorado at the urging of his high school ex-girlfriend Jasmine, who has been hired by his sister to do PR for their inn and Christmas tree farm. They reconnect and things get cozy. I love Christmas tree farm settings, and there was also plenty of brother drama to go in the mix. Hockey romances are another favorite so this book was one I was really looking forward to and it did not disappoint! 5/5 stars.
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April 2, 2024
RATING: 3.5/4 stars to Jingle Bell Beard! ★ ★ ★ ★
REVIEW TO COME: December 2023 read. My third Julie Kriss romance and this might be my favourite thus far. I'm so behind on reviews 😬
I've read Julie Kriss's Bad Billionaire. I've also read her Spite Club , and while they were reasonably good picks that respectively entertained in different ways, the former better than the latter, I Jingle Bell Beard plays to a different storyline and theme altogether. Definitely themed towards December reading. Jingle Bell Beard is a small town, fake relationship, grumpy/sunshine, second chances cocktail of a winter romance. One I both enjoyed and easily recommend for some swift season-based reading. It was short, it was sweet, it was familial and it was unexpectedly funny. It was also a smidge steamy, only a smidge I stress. I have to admit that the bedroom scenes were unexpectedly underwhelming. With oodles of sexual tension, primed and pent up by a brief high school relationship, it was indeed a missed opportunity to include intimacy scenes that felt like a necessity more than an indulgence. The author could have used the opportunity to strengthen the bond of history and missed opportunities between them through a physical connection. I did however enjoy the existing backstory between Matt and Jasmine. It was so sweet. Especially chapter 10 where we we get a real insight through Jasmine as to how it all began; him the quiet, brooding antisocial hockey player and her the likeable, sociable cheerleader who was once bold enough to ask him to ask her on a date after waiting and watching him from afar. I have a major soft spot for reserved and socially challenged but confident love interests just because I find them to be the most relatable. Jasmine broke up with Matt (who was then her high school boyfriend) a week before that merry time of year. It was seventeen years ago. Matt was a social outcast, destined to be in the big leagues and Jasmine let the fear of losing him and being left behind force her into breaking up with him. They both went their separate ways, him to a high-octane career playing his favourite sport, and her divorced and in pursuit of rebuilding her broken PR career.
After a string of career catastrophes, this is Jasmine's opportunity to give her professional life the green light and revive a career she loves. It's either sink or swim, but lucky for her, and only just freshly offered the PR position for the Kringle Inn and farm, she's been tasked with bringing the business back to business. And that Includes utilising an old (but highly memorable) contact to her favour as her immediate course of action to draw in said big business. He's got the name and the game, but these days he's more bench sitter than ice fiend, with a thirty-four-year body that carries the weight of every game he's ever played. Jasmine's set to work to rope in her ex boyfriend and hope that notoriously absent Matt Kringle will come home to help his family's business. Without much hesitation, Matt comes home for the first time in a long time, and his role is to now follow Jasmine's lead and do as she says to increase the Kringle family's farm and business' campaign for visibility. He may share the surname of a very jolly figure of a well celebrated white season but nobody would call Matt Kringle anything but a merry soul. He wears a scowl like a permanent part of his person, he's a major grump and smiles as often as he gives an inch. But for Jasmine, he'll play nice. Only for Jasmine will he play nice. And thus begins a short walk down still-burning-feelings avenue and memories unmade that sees them both amenable to picking up (yet dubious of) where they left off. While not a significant storyline by any means and developments that might have felt more convenient than well defined, this is one I definitely recommend. Very fun, very sweet, unexpectedly funny in parts, not without some (also funny) family squabbles. Just a light, sweet and solid novella for your holiday reading.
Content Warning/Listing: Considerable profanity, mentions the death of a parent. Previous divorce. Infidelity during a previous marriage. An on page bedroom scene.
____________________________________
Visit my blog: V.L. Book Reviews
T W I T T E R: @TheVicarious1
I N S T A G R A M: @Vicarious.Hearts
____________________________________
REVIEW TO COME: December 2023 read. My third Julie Kriss romance and this might be my favourite thus far. I'm so behind on reviews 😬
I've read Julie Kriss's Bad Billionaire. I've also read her Spite Club , and while they were reasonably good picks that respectively entertained in different ways, the former better than the latter, I Jingle Bell Beard plays to a different storyline and theme altogether. Definitely themed towards December reading. Jingle Bell Beard is a small town, fake relationship, grumpy/sunshine, second chances cocktail of a winter romance. One I both enjoyed and easily recommend for some swift season-based reading. It was short, it was sweet, it was familial and it was unexpectedly funny. It was also a smidge steamy, only a smidge I stress. I have to admit that the bedroom scenes were unexpectedly underwhelming. With oodles of sexual tension, primed and pent up by a brief high school relationship, it was indeed a missed opportunity to include intimacy scenes that felt like a necessity more than an indulgence. The author could have used the opportunity to strengthen the bond of history and missed opportunities between them through a physical connection. I did however enjoy the existing backstory between Matt and Jasmine. It was so sweet. Especially chapter 10 where we we get a real insight through Jasmine as to how it all began; him the quiet, brooding antisocial hockey player and her the likeable, sociable cheerleader who was once bold enough to ask him to ask her on a date after waiting and watching him from afar. I have a major soft spot for reserved and socially challenged but confident love interests just because I find them to be the most relatable. Jasmine broke up with Matt (who was then her high school boyfriend) a week before that merry time of year. It was seventeen years ago. Matt was a social outcast, destined to be in the big leagues and Jasmine let the fear of losing him and being left behind force her into breaking up with him. They both went their separate ways, him to a high-octane career playing his favourite sport, and her divorced and in pursuit of rebuilding her broken PR career.
After a string of career catastrophes, this is Jasmine's opportunity to give her professional life the green light and revive a career she loves. It's either sink or swim, but lucky for her, and only just freshly offered the PR position for the Kringle Inn and farm, she's been tasked with bringing the business back to business. And that Includes utilising an old (but highly memorable) contact to her favour as her immediate course of action to draw in said big business. He's got the name and the game, but these days he's more bench sitter than ice fiend, with a thirty-four-year body that carries the weight of every game he's ever played. Jasmine's set to work to rope in her ex boyfriend and hope that notoriously absent Matt Kringle will come home to help his family's business. Without much hesitation, Matt comes home for the first time in a long time, and his role is to now follow Jasmine's lead and do as she says to increase the Kringle family's farm and business' campaign for visibility. He may share the surname of a very jolly figure of a well celebrated white season but nobody would call Matt Kringle anything but a merry soul. He wears a scowl like a permanent part of his person, he's a major grump and smiles as often as he gives an inch. But for Jasmine, he'll play nice. Only for Jasmine will he play nice. And thus begins a short walk down still-burning-feelings avenue and memories unmade that sees them both amenable to picking up (yet dubious of) where they left off. While not a significant storyline by any means and developments that might have felt more convenient than well defined, this is one I definitely recommend. Very fun, very sweet, unexpectedly funny in parts, not without some (also funny) family squabbles. Just a light, sweet and solid novella for your holiday reading.
Content Warning/Listing: Considerable profanity, mentions the death of a parent. Previous divorce. Infidelity during a previous marriage. An on page bedroom scene.
____________________________________
Visit my blog: V.L. Book Reviews
T W I T T E R: @TheVicarious1
I N S T A G R A M: @Vicarious.Hearts
____________________________________
December 18, 2025
We are still in Salt Springs, Colorado.
In this last installment Matt Kringle is home to help his family tree farm and the Kringle Inn.
The fight in the airport between the three brothers, with all the juicy details, ripping of clothes, and the twisting of the niples of Matt and Ethan from Kristen, that later on will appear in youtube, is absolutely hilarious, messy and memorable.
Jasmine, who hasn't seen Matt in 17 years when she broke his heart, and had begged him to return home, thinks that this time her career as a PR is definitely finished.
But that doesn't happen, au contraire.
It brings lots of hockey fans of Matt, known as The Mountain, and tourists who where attracted by the airport show.
He promises to do everything she says from now on and to behave.
After all he came back for her, and she is even more beautiful then when she was a teenager.
He had forgotten the effect she always had on him to lighten his spirits, to make him forget everything dark and unpleasant about life.
Jasmine knows that behind this grouchy, quiet, unsmiling man, is a beautiful one whom she has strong feelings for after all this years.
After the event with the mayor he has to seat on a bench because his hip hurts, he suffered so many injuries hockey playing for the NHL, Jasmine is returning something and is about to fall, he grabs her, seats her in his lap like he was groping an employee.
Before the people who saw it and recorded it turns it viral, they decide to announce that she is his girlfriend.
Matt through someone who knows someone finds a photographer to take pictures of them for social media.
They start fake dating!
And to be more convincing kissing in public, which they have been wanting to do since they first met again, having all the incredible sex he promised her, with the Chicago Warriors Team condoms all tbe players are given!
Should he quit playing hockey while he's still ahead?
He's only 34 but has aches and pains everywhere.
At Christmas eve, at the event where he was teaching children to do some hockey basics suddenly Jasmine looks and he's not there.
She's told that he was called to Chicago for an emergency NHL meeting and her heart breaks like she did 17 years ago with Matt 's heart too.
She loves him! There's no maybe!
Has she lost him?
Will he come back?
Please stay tuned for the lovely epilogue!!!
In this last installment Matt Kringle is home to help his family tree farm and the Kringle Inn.
The fight in the airport between the three brothers, with all the juicy details, ripping of clothes, and the twisting of the niples of Matt and Ethan from Kristen, that later on will appear in youtube, is absolutely hilarious, messy and memorable.
Jasmine, who hasn't seen Matt in 17 years when she broke his heart, and had begged him to return home, thinks that this time her career as a PR is definitely finished.
But that doesn't happen, au contraire.
It brings lots of hockey fans of Matt, known as The Mountain, and tourists who where attracted by the airport show.
He promises to do everything she says from now on and to behave.
After all he came back for her, and she is even more beautiful then when she was a teenager.
He had forgotten the effect she always had on him to lighten his spirits, to make him forget everything dark and unpleasant about life.
Jasmine knows that behind this grouchy, quiet, unsmiling man, is a beautiful one whom she has strong feelings for after all this years.
After the event with the mayor he has to seat on a bench because his hip hurts, he suffered so many injuries hockey playing for the NHL, Jasmine is returning something and is about to fall, he grabs her, seats her in his lap like he was groping an employee.
Before the people who saw it and recorded it turns it viral, they decide to announce that she is his girlfriend.
Matt through someone who knows someone finds a photographer to take pictures of them for social media.
They start fake dating!
And to be more convincing kissing in public, which they have been wanting to do since they first met again, having all the incredible sex he promised her, with the Chicago Warriors Team condoms all tbe players are given!
Should he quit playing hockey while he's still ahead?
He's only 34 but has aches and pains everywhere.
At Christmas eve, at the event where he was teaching children to do some hockey basics suddenly Jasmine looks and he's not there.
She's told that he was called to Chicago for an emergency NHL meeting and her heart breaks like she did 17 years ago with Matt 's heart too.
She loves him! There's no maybe!
Has she lost him?
Will he come back?
Please stay tuned for the lovely epilogue!!!
December 28, 2021
I liked Jasmine however, I don't know if I liked Matt.
I felt like he had two very different personalities; the one in his head and the one in his actions. I suppose that's not uncommon but when you compare it to someone like Jasmine, that difference becomes a little more obvious.
I also felt the time line was a little off. Specifically for Kristen and Paul's relationship.
It was great that Jasmine saw a side of Matt no one else saw.
I didn't like that Matt didn't communicate himself well enough at the end. Jasmine's worst fear in their relationship came true and he didn't say anything!
I did enjoy the ending. It was a nice culmination of all three novels.
I felt like he had two very different personalities; the one in his head and the one in his actions. I suppose that's not uncommon but when you compare it to someone like Jasmine, that difference becomes a little more obvious.
I also felt the time line was a little off. Specifically for Kristen and Paul's relationship.
It was great that Jasmine saw a side of Matt no one else saw.
I didn't like that Matt didn't communicate himself well enough at the end. Jasmine's worst fear in their relationship came true and he didn't say anything!
I did enjoy the ending. It was a nice culmination of all three novels.
December 23, 2021
4 to 4 1/2 stars
November 27, 2021
If you love Roy Kent from Ted Lasso, then you will freaking love Matt in JINGLE BELL BEARD. He is grumpy af, huge, muscley, and still hung up on the girl who broke his heart in High School. He's had some recent injuries playing for his NHL team and some seriously bad PR that he needs to fix so he can get his career back on track.
Jasmine now works in PR and has taken a job to help a local family revivie their struggling BNB. ANd Matt is a part of her plan to save the business. A fake relationship can also help his image. Y'all....the SPARKS between Matt and Jasmine are electric! I loved ths second chanve romance so much!
Jasmine is hard-working and funny and real. She is tryiong to fix her career after some setbacks and I really loved that she is making that happen for herself. And Matt is swoon for DAYS. His propenstiy to chill in his own home naked is gahhhhhh. And these two steam upo this book in the best way with their sexytimes. My Kindle is still overheated.
JINGLE BELL BEARD is my top Holiday read for 2021. It is funny, sweet, has great friendships, is heartwarming, and super sexy. It is great as a standalone within this series, so you can read it all by itself and never feel lost. You should definately add it to your TBR!
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
TRIGGERS: none
FEELS-O-METER: 1/5 - Light and funny Rom-Com with little to no drama.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
BUY IT HERE: https://amzn.to/3wg6Shr (affiliate)
👇🏻HANG OUT WITH ME HERE!👇🏻
INSTAGRAM | YEAR OF SMUT CHALLENGE
Jasmine now works in PR and has taken a job to help a local family revivie their struggling BNB. ANd Matt is a part of her plan to save the business. A fake relationship can also help his image. Y'all....the SPARKS between Matt and Jasmine are electric! I loved ths second chanve romance so much!
Jasmine is hard-working and funny and real. She is tryiong to fix her career after some setbacks and I really loved that she is making that happen for herself. And Matt is swoon for DAYS. His propenstiy to chill in his own home naked is gahhhhhh. And these two steam upo this book in the best way with their sexytimes. My Kindle is still overheated.
JINGLE BELL BEARD is my top Holiday read for 2021. It is funny, sweet, has great friendships, is heartwarming, and super sexy. It is great as a standalone within this series, so you can read it all by itself and never feel lost. You should definately add it to your TBR!
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
TRIGGERS: none
FEELS-O-METER: 1/5 - Light and funny Rom-Com with little to no drama.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
BUY IT HERE: https://amzn.to/3wg6Shr (affiliate)
👇🏻HANG OUT WITH ME HERE!👇🏻
INSTAGRAM | YEAR OF SMUT CHALLENGE
October 24, 2021
a Christmas second chance romance.
they dated back in high school and now at 30, they met again.
i don't have much to say, because i just think if you like second chance romance, hockey and Christmas you should TOTALLY read this!
also, the hero adores her!
they dated back in high school and now at 30, they met again.
i don't have much to say, because i just think if you like second chance romance, hockey and Christmas you should TOTALLY read this!
also, the hero adores her!
December 21, 2022
This was so cute 😍
Jasmine’s career is on the line and the only way she can revive it is by connecting with the man she dumped in high school. Matt’s current standing with the NHL is uncertain so what better way to get his mind off things than going home and helping the woman who broke his heart 17 years go.
This had me cracking up!! The scene about his groin.. ☠️☠️ Matt and Jasmine are such a cute match and really compliment each other. I love that they actually communicate and work on things than just pretending everything is okay. They honestly bring so much love and joy to the others life, it was so heartwarming to read.
Jasmine’s career is on the line and the only way she can revive it is by connecting with the man she dumped in high school. Matt’s current standing with the NHL is uncertain so what better way to get his mind off things than going home and helping the woman who broke his heart 17 years go.
This had me cracking up!! The scene about his groin.. ☠️☠️ Matt and Jasmine are such a cute match and really compliment each other. I love that they actually communicate and work on things than just pretending everything is okay. They honestly bring so much love and joy to the others life, it was so heartwarming to read.
December 8, 2021
Cute story in the series, this one is the grumpy hockey player reconnecting with his high school girlfriend who desperately needs his help to revive her career. The Grump story was my favorite and I was glad to see Paul and Kay Kay make an appearance glaring at each other.
This 3rd story showed a few of the missing pieces in the other stories and it was nice seeing more of the dad Chris in this one.
This 3rd story showed a few of the missing pieces in the other stories and it was nice seeing more of the dad Chris in this one.
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December 8, 2021
2.5 stars but I'll round up since it's Christmas.
I don't know I just didn't love the characters in this one and it definitely wasn't as light hearted and fun. Matt refused to come home and help out his family even though he's being benched by his NHL team and has nothing better to do...until his ex-girlfriend he dated for 3 months 17 years ago asks him to come. So 'no' when it's his loving family begging for help, but 'yes' when it's the girl that dumped you at 17. Okay, doesn't say great things about him to me, but okay.
So he's been playing hockey for 17 years, has had no friends or significant romantic relationships to speak of and when asked can't even say if he loves hockey or not...my man was depressing me. Jasmine dumped Matt at 17 then married a hometown loser that she divorced not long after, her career went up in flames and so for the past 17 years she's also lived a kind of depressing life. Great.
There were inconsistencies between the three books in terms of characterizations and plot things which makes sense because this is a collab between three different authors, but it bothered me most in this book since it's the last one and things have already been set up in the other two.
Idk this novella was just not it for me. I wanted more festive Christmas fun and all I got was confusing, depressing pining. So eh, it was okay, but not great.
I don't know I just didn't love the characters in this one and it definitely wasn't as light hearted and fun. Matt refused to come home and help out his family even though he's being benched by his NHL team and has nothing better to do...until his ex-girlfriend he dated for 3 months 17 years ago asks him to come. So 'no' when it's his loving family begging for help, but 'yes' when it's the girl that dumped you at 17. Okay, doesn't say great things about him to me, but okay.
So he's been playing hockey for 17 years, has had no friends or significant romantic relationships to speak of and when asked can't even say if he loves hockey or not...my man was depressing me. Jasmine dumped Matt at 17 then married a hometown loser that she divorced not long after, her career went up in flames and so for the past 17 years she's also lived a kind of depressing life. Great.
There were inconsistencies between the three books in terms of characterizations and plot things which makes sense because this is a collab between three different authors, but it bothered me most in this book since it's the last one and things have already been set up in the other two.
Idk this novella was just not it for me. I wanted more festive Christmas fun and all I got was confusing, depressing pining. So eh, it was okay, but not great.
November 23, 2021
Ok maybe I really enjoy sports romances. Especially with big broad shoulders, a beard, and Christmas 👀
February 20, 2022
A fun Christmas novella with a hot hockey player and his ex-high school sweetheart. This is a second chance not only for the couple but also for the family business. I really enjoyed all three books in the series and loved that they are from different new-to-me authors. I'm going to look into more books by all three!
December 12, 2021
4.5 stars
Jingle Bell Beard was a completely entertaining, fun, and wonderful holiday story. A second chance romance between two people who dated in high school until Jasmine, a high school cheerleader, broke up with Matt, a promising hockey star, because she knew he was going to leave town and she wouldn’t fit in with his lifestyle. A bit of a selfless move but it broke Matt’s heart and he’s never really gotten over it. Two decades later with Jasmine’s livelihood on the line by helping Matt’s sister ressurect the family business, Jasmine pleads with Matt to return home to their small town to help out and he agrees but he has conditions.
I enjoyed this book a lot mainly because they didn’t focus too much on the past. Yes, they discussed it and put it out on the table, but the mostly talked about what happened after high school, what their lives were like today and the people they’ve become in the 20 years since they’ve seen one another. While there was some playful banter and innuendo Matt kept his promise not to come on to Jasmine, but as they opened up to one another, the heat between them grew.
There were some interesting moments between Matt and his siblings and his father that made him realize how much had been missing from his life and Jasmine only perpetuated that feeling. He took stock in the fact he hadn’t played all season, his body was failing him, and he really had no clue how he felt about his hockey career anymore. Jasmine was also reevaluating her life and I think the fact they could share their successes, failures and dreams with one another really solidified their relationship. I loved seeing Matt go from the ultimate grump to a move easy going and reflective guy and seeing Jasmine begin to believe in herself once again.
I loved every minute of Jingle Bell Beard, I was easily invested in this couple and when you add in the holiday spirit, the family craziness, and the good times, it was quite perfect.
**Reviewer’s note: I know, again, but here goes. I don’t know who titled the books in this series but the titles of all three have been bad (the 2nd book’s title was the best but even that wasn’t great). I don’t feel like any of the titles really worked for the books and took away a bit of the magic of them.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
Jingle Bell Beard was a completely entertaining, fun, and wonderful holiday story. A second chance romance between two people who dated in high school until Jasmine, a high school cheerleader, broke up with Matt, a promising hockey star, because she knew he was going to leave town and she wouldn’t fit in with his lifestyle. A bit of a selfless move but it broke Matt’s heart and he’s never really gotten over it. Two decades later with Jasmine’s livelihood on the line by helping Matt’s sister ressurect the family business, Jasmine pleads with Matt to return home to their small town to help out and he agrees but he has conditions.
I enjoyed this book a lot mainly because they didn’t focus too much on the past. Yes, they discussed it and put it out on the table, but the mostly talked about what happened after high school, what their lives were like today and the people they’ve become in the 20 years since they’ve seen one another. While there was some playful banter and innuendo Matt kept his promise not to come on to Jasmine, but as they opened up to one another, the heat between them grew.
There were some interesting moments between Matt and his siblings and his father that made him realize how much had been missing from his life and Jasmine only perpetuated that feeling. He took stock in the fact he hadn’t played all season, his body was failing him, and he really had no clue how he felt about his hockey career anymore. Jasmine was also reevaluating her life and I think the fact they could share their successes, failures and dreams with one another really solidified their relationship. I loved seeing Matt go from the ultimate grump to a move easy going and reflective guy and seeing Jasmine begin to believe in herself once again.
I loved every minute of Jingle Bell Beard, I was easily invested in this couple and when you add in the holiday spirit, the family craziness, and the good times, it was quite perfect.
**Reviewer’s note: I know, again, but here goes. I don’t know who titled the books in this series but the titles of all three have been bad (the 2nd book’s title was the best but even that wasn’t great). I don’t feel like any of the titles really worked for the books and took away a bit of the magic of them.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
November 15, 2021
Light and fun
A second chance romance that I actually liked? It must be the holiday cheer in the air! I'm always a little wary of second chance romances, but a book buddy recommended this Christmas read, and I decided to give it a shot. I'm glad that I did! It's longer than a novella, shorter than a full-length novel, and just the right amount of holiday fun. I loved the light, easy feel, and the story is head and shoulders above most of the holiday romances I've read this year. I'm torn between a 4 and 5-star rating and I don't think I'll be completely happy with either one - but if you're a second chance romance fan, then it's definitely a fun read.
The story follows Jasmine, a woman whose career (and possibly life) needs a boost. She's a thirty-something divorcee still living in her hometown, and her last job imploded in a big way. When she's offered the chance at a new job as a PR person, Jasmine jumps at the opportunity. Unfortunately, it involves bringing her high school boyfriend turned sports star back home for a visit. Jasmine and Matt only dated for a few months - 17 years ago - but Jasmine could tell that Matt had the potential to break her heart. So she dumped him without warning, and Matt has never really understood why. Now that they're older and wiser, the chemistry is still there... and a fake relationship for the cameras brings all those feelings back to the surface.
In case you're wondering, I have not read the first two books in this series - and it was not an issue. This one has me curious how Matt's siblings' love stories play out, and the books can be read in any order (except the epilogue). This was easy to binge in one sitting and felt more developed than a novella. It's more like a short, fast-paced novel. The overall feel is light and low angst, with plenty of chemistry and likable characters. I really liked Matt, and I would've seriously enjoyed a whole book with these two. If you're looking for a fun and sexy holiday read, then this is definitely a good one.
A second chance romance that I actually liked? It must be the holiday cheer in the air! I'm always a little wary of second chance romances, but a book buddy recommended this Christmas read, and I decided to give it a shot. I'm glad that I did! It's longer than a novella, shorter than a full-length novel, and just the right amount of holiday fun. I loved the light, easy feel, and the story is head and shoulders above most of the holiday romances I've read this year. I'm torn between a 4 and 5-star rating and I don't think I'll be completely happy with either one - but if you're a second chance romance fan, then it's definitely a fun read.
The story follows Jasmine, a woman whose career (and possibly life) needs a boost. She's a thirty-something divorcee still living in her hometown, and her last job imploded in a big way. When she's offered the chance at a new job as a PR person, Jasmine jumps at the opportunity. Unfortunately, it involves bringing her high school boyfriend turned sports star back home for a visit. Jasmine and Matt only dated for a few months - 17 years ago - but Jasmine could tell that Matt had the potential to break her heart. So she dumped him without warning, and Matt has never really understood why. Now that they're older and wiser, the chemistry is still there... and a fake relationship for the cameras brings all those feelings back to the surface.
In case you're wondering, I have not read the first two books in this series - and it was not an issue. This one has me curious how Matt's siblings' love stories play out, and the books can be read in any order (except the epilogue). This was easy to binge in one sitting and felt more developed than a novella. It's more like a short, fast-paced novel. The overall feel is light and low angst, with plenty of chemistry and likable characters. I really liked Matt, and I would've seriously enjoyed a whole book with these two. If you're looking for a fun and sexy holiday read, then this is definitely a good one.
December 9, 2024
4.5
I think this is my favorite of the 3
Hoopla audio!
Second chance
Hockey player
Christmas tree farm + inn
She's helping pr the farm
Great audio
I think this is my favorite of the 3
Hoopla audio!
Second chance
Hockey player
Christmas tree farm + inn
She's helping pr the farm
Great audio
November 26, 2021
A grumpy, sexy hockey player you can’t go wrong! I adored this holiday novella it was sweet, funny, angsty and dusted with a little steam. Second chance romances are my fave and this one was adorable the chemistry between the MCs was magnetic and the banter was on point. A must read holiday novella
December 21, 2022
For being a novella, this took me way too long to read it. I just couldn't really get into it and I didn't really like any of the characters. The fake relationship plotline is what made me want to read this and it wasn't really that type of story at all, so that was disappointing.
December 24, 2021
4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Well that was three fun and festive quickies that got me in the Christmas spirit...just in time for the Holidays .
First and Third are definitely my favorites...all available on KU. 🌲
Well that was three fun and festive quickies that got me in the Christmas spirit...just in time for the Holidays .
First and Third are definitely my favorites...all available on KU. 🌲
December 22, 2021
Alright, I'll admit it. I am slightly addicted to Christmas romances at the moment. Which means the actual things I need to get done for Christmas are being neglected, but I got to read about grumpy high school sweethearts second chance romance.
I did think from the blurb and previous books this was some epic teen love, but it truly wasn't. They dated for a few months and made out. That was about it. The reason for their breakup was pretty ridiculous, but they generally are in these types of books, I guess.
They were sweet and well suited to each other, rounding out this trilogy nicely.
I did think from the blurb and previous books this was some epic teen love, but it truly wasn't. They dated for a few months and made out. That was about it. The reason for their breakup was pretty ridiculous, but they generally are in these types of books, I guess.
They were sweet and well suited to each other, rounding out this trilogy nicely.
January 2, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥🔥🔥
🔥🔥🔥
November 5, 2021
Amazon
Matt's finally coming home, and it only took the one who got away begging him to make it happen. But now Jasmine owes him, and Matt is most definitely going to find a way for her to pay him back.
Jasmine is desperate. If she doesn't get Matt to come back home to help boost his family's business, her PR career is toast. She knows she doesn't deserve for him to even give her the time of day, considering how she dumped him for no reason back in high school. But when he actually agrees, she plans on using this to her advantage. She definitely does not plan on starting anything up again with Matt, though...even if her body and mind don't seem to agree with her.
Sweet, fun, low angst holiday cheer. This is my favorite so far in this series, and I absolutely loved Matt! He comes across at first, and in the first two installments of this series, as a grumpy jerk, but here in his own story he's revealed as a big sweetheart who just wanted the girl who dumped him back, and ended up wanting to stay with his family. If you, like me, need something to get you in the holiday mood before the holidays descend upon us, I highly recommend starting with this series, in particular Matt and Jasmine's story - it's adorable and has a big hockey player. What else could you ask for in a holiday romance?
ARC provided by Grey's Promotions for an honest review.
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December 11, 2023
To give five stars for a Christmas romance, for me, is almost unheard of. But hey, it’s Julie Kriss. I’ve been trying to figure out what it is about her books that make them so special. It’s like you’re feeling kind of down and someone comes up to you and gives you the biggest, warmest, best hug you’ve ever had in your life and instead of feeling down, you feel uplifted.
Matt Kringle and Jasmine Collingwood were high school sweethearts. Matt was an excellent hockey player and Jasmine, knowing that he was destined for greatness in hockey and even though she was crazy about him ended things.
Fast forward to present times. Matt has lived up the the early promise he showed and has become one of the premier players in the league. But he’s 34 now and in hockey years, that’s really getting up there. He’s currently riding the bench and isn’t sure what that means career wise.
Things haven’t been quite as good for Jasmine. After she broke with Matt she had a very brief marriage and her career in public relations is at a standstill when she gets a call from Matt’s older sister who wants to hire her to promote the family inn and Christmas tree business. She jumps at the chance. Knowing that getting Matt, a famous hockey player whose family owns said business could really help them, she contacts him and is very pleasantly surprised when he agrees to help. Neither has ever forgotten the other and as they start working together, old feelings come back, stronger than ever.
This is such a feel good romance with a very likeable hero and heroine and all the way through reading it, I felt enveloped in a warm cozy hug and that’s a wonderful feeling.
Matt Kringle and Jasmine Collingwood were high school sweethearts. Matt was an excellent hockey player and Jasmine, knowing that he was destined for greatness in hockey and even though she was crazy about him ended things.
Fast forward to present times. Matt has lived up the the early promise he showed and has become one of the premier players in the league. But he’s 34 now and in hockey years, that’s really getting up there. He’s currently riding the bench and isn’t sure what that means career wise.
Things haven’t been quite as good for Jasmine. After she broke with Matt she had a very brief marriage and her career in public relations is at a standstill when she gets a call from Matt’s older sister who wants to hire her to promote the family inn and Christmas tree business. She jumps at the chance. Knowing that getting Matt, a famous hockey player whose family owns said business could really help them, she contacts him and is very pleasantly surprised when he agrees to help. Neither has ever forgotten the other and as they start working together, old feelings come back, stronger than ever.
This is such a feel good romance with a very likeable hero and heroine and all the way through reading it, I felt enveloped in a warm cozy hug and that’s a wonderful feeling.
October 23, 2021
Matt and Jasmine gave me the feel-good story I needed today. Between the hilarious reunion with his siblings, complete with video evidence of exactly how siblings can behave, the near disaster of a social media post that led to a fake relationship, and the love that these two both clearly still have for each other, this was a quick and funny and emotional read. It served to remind readers that Christmas can be stressful and so can family and love, but all three are worth all of the stress. And as Matt and Jasmine figure out how to really become a couple again, everything unfolded so smoothly that it was easy to believe some magic was at work. Even the misunderstanding was cleared up easily enough with that thing I adore in couples: communication! Yes, these two actually communicated and talked about their fears or worries or hopes or whatever, so sign me up for a read like this every time!
December 19, 2024
Book 3 in the Kringle Family Christmas novella series.
🥅
NHL legend, Matthew “the Mountain” Kringle, needs to come home for the holidays to help with the family business: the Christmas tree farm, but he doesn’t want to. When the girl who broke his heart, high school ex-girlfriend, Jasmine, calls to beg him to come home since she’s working PR for the farm, suddenly he’s all ears. After a photographic misunderstanding is captured between Jasmine and Matt, they now have to fake date to save it from becoming a huge PR nightmare. Turns out, it’s no trouble at all to pretend to be together again.
⛸️
This was an adorably smutty Christmas romance that I really enjoyed. It was a novella, but didn’t feel rushed mainly because they already knew each other. It seems Julie Kriss has partnered with Molly O’Keefe and S. Doyle to write holiday novellas before. I’ll have to check them all out!
CW: medical content, pregnancy
A strong 4.25 ⭐️
🥅
NHL legend, Matthew “the Mountain” Kringle, needs to come home for the holidays to help with the family business: the Christmas tree farm, but he doesn’t want to. When the girl who broke his heart, high school ex-girlfriend, Jasmine, calls to beg him to come home since she’s working PR for the farm, suddenly he’s all ears. After a photographic misunderstanding is captured between Jasmine and Matt, they now have to fake date to save it from becoming a huge PR nightmare. Turns out, it’s no trouble at all to pretend to be together again.
⛸️
This was an adorably smutty Christmas romance that I really enjoyed. It was a novella, but didn’t feel rushed mainly because they already knew each other. It seems Julie Kriss has partnered with Molly O’Keefe and S. Doyle to write holiday novellas before. I’ll have to check them all out!
CW: medical content, pregnancy
A strong 4.25 ⭐️
November 5, 2021
I love Christmas stories, grumpy/sunshine couples, hockey players, and small town romances. Ding, ding! We have a winner here!
Matt and Jasmine were a unlikely high school couple. Their breakup hurt them both, but their reunion in this book was super satisfying. I loved the dual POV, so you could see how normally grumpy Matt was just smitten again with Jasmine. He brought so much chill to Jasmine and was totally there for her.
And even when there was a rough patch, I really appreciated how they communicated, and no one automatically assumed the worst. This is such a feel good story, the angst is limited.
There were a lot of funny shenanigans with Matt’s family and those books are out too! This 3 book series is available on KU!
Matt and Jasmine were a unlikely high school couple. Their breakup hurt them both, but their reunion in this book was super satisfying. I loved the dual POV, so you could see how normally grumpy Matt was just smitten again with Jasmine. He brought so much chill to Jasmine and was totally there for her.
And even when there was a rough patch, I really appreciated how they communicated, and no one automatically assumed the worst. This is such a feel good story, the angst is limited.
There were a lot of funny shenanigans with Matt’s family and those books are out too! This 3 book series is available on KU!
December 12, 2021
UGHHH the books in this series always end two chapters too soon!!!! I needed bigger swoon-worthy grand gestures PLEASE 😩
Even though book 1 in the series was just fine, I knew that I had to read this book about the hot grumpy hockey player 😌 This series is nothing special or extra spicy but the romances are cuuute ❤️
Even though book 1 in the series was just fine, I knew that I had to read this book about the hot grumpy hockey player 😌 This series is nothing special or extra spicy but the romances are cuuute ❤️
December 15, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
December 14, 2024
Ebook. Purchased. This was like a hallmark movie in a book. So fun and sweet and very low angst.
April 24, 2023
Cute! Humorous! Sassy!
I like Matt Kringle and he has every right to be grumpy. He's tall, handsome, and a huge hockey player with BIG muscles in all the right places!
Yet, all through high school, the sleazy football players bullied him. Jasmine, the only girl he ever loved, dumped him and married one of those same sleazy football players that hurt Matt.
And guess who needs him now, to help her PR career, as she works with his family Christmas Tree business? Yes Matt has every right to be grumpy!
What an awesome laugh out loud holiday series.
I like Matt Kringle and he has every right to be grumpy. He's tall, handsome, and a huge hockey player with BIG muscles in all the right places!
Yet, all through high school, the sleazy football players bullied him. Jasmine, the only girl he ever loved, dumped him and married one of those same sleazy football players that hurt Matt.
And guess who needs him now, to help her PR career, as she works with his family Christmas Tree business? Yes Matt has every right to be grumpy!
What an awesome laugh out loud holiday series.
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