Jingle Bell Rock

Underground Granny Matchmakers #3

by Tamie Dearen

This Christmas Eve, the arranged wedding between the princess (me) and Carlisle (the womanizer) is going to be missing the princess!

Marki
I'm a secret princess on the run. You'd be running, too, if your uncle was going to make you marry Carlisle the Argyle.
I need a fake husband fast!

Except I have my head stuck on a shrub. (Long story...)

And wouldn't you know it... the person who answers the door and finds me in this predicament isn't the granny matchmaker I was expecting.
It's a man!

I can't tell what he looks like, because of the whole head-stuck-on-a-shrub thing, but he sounds super hot.

I'm hoping for a miracle so he never sees my face... like maybe a tornado or an earthquake or a zombie attack.
But I'm not that lucky... the story of my life!

Drake
I only kissed her to keep her safe from her abusive ex. It didn't mean anything.
(Lie number 1.)

And it barely affected me.
(Lie number 2)

And I'm not the least bit attracted to her, because she's all wrong for me.
(Lie number 3)

Now my head is so messed up I'm willing to fly around the world and make a fool of myself to get her attention.
(That's a solid truth!)

Grab your copy of this fun, sweet romcom from USA Today bestselling author Tamie Dearen.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Contemporary, Holiday, Contemporary Romance, Royal Romance, Rom Com

330 pages, Paperback

Published December 6, 2022

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Tamie Dearen has published more than twenty books, including The Best Girls Series and the Limitless Clean Billionaire Romance Series. Tamie believes real life is already full of enough heartache, so she gives her book-characters happily-ever-afters, no matter how difficult their paths.

Tamie Dearen lives in Texas with her incredibly romantic husband and two dogs. She hates dusting and exercising and loves anything musical or artistic. When she's not writing books, you might find her playing with her grandkids or drilling on someone's tooth.

Join Tamie Dearen's VIP Newsletter and get a free book as a welcome gift. Copy and paste: http://www.tamiedearen.com/enter-to-win/

Reviews

[Elaine and Tess the Springer. I won’t be on GR for a bit. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great read.

I totally loved this book and found it hard to put down. It's a nice story and there's some emotional moments with love and romance.

[Tricia Anson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a flat-out fun and swoony read, look no further! The Underground Matchmaking Grannies are at it again, and this time it is with a secret, runaway princess and the drummer of a famous rock band. Throw in a dash of forced proximity, an age-gap, and a heavy serving of meddling, and you have yourself a win.

Things I Loved:
-Hilarious meet-cute
-“Can I kiss you?”
-“What does that even mean, when a woman says ‘yes, dear?’ Doesn’t it actually mean, ‘I don’t believe a word you’re saying, but I want you to be quiet?’”
-Polly Princess
-Age gap teasing (my hubs and I do this 😂♥️)
-Wolfman
-“She shoves my arm, playfully. And I freely admit I have my biceps flexed so my muscle seems harder. It’s a much easier task than it was to keep my stomach muscles tight on the ride up here. I almost passed out from the effort. But what choice did I have, with her hands cinched around my waist?”
-UGM TikTok video
-Beauty supply company
-Marki’s brothers
-Cuddle, Hugs, and Snuggles (iykyk 😂)
-Handsome toy solider
-Festival of the Bells
-An entirely fun & sweet HEA

Marki is naive, sweet, and adventurous and Drake is like a cinnamon roll alpha. They are so fun through the entire story. If you love meddling grandmas, do not miss out on this fun series. These grannies are the best. 👌🏻😂♥️

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun Christmas romance. I love the UGMs. They are so fun. Marki and Drake have instant chemistry, but they're complete opposites or so it seems at first. Marki is pretty naive and frustrating at times, but even as sheltered as she was she has a great capacity to love. I enjoyed this sweet funny story.

[Donna Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT IT'S ABOUT
Marki
I'm a secret princess on the run. You'd be running, too, if your uncle was going to make you marry Carlisle the Argyle. I need a fake husband fast!

Except I have my head stuck on a shrub. (Long story...)

And wouldn't you know it... the person who answers the door and finds me in this predicament isn't the granny matchmaker I was expecting. It's a man!

I can't tell what he looks like, because of the whole head-stuck-on-a-shrub thing, but he sounds super hot.

I'm hoping for a miracle so he never sees my face... like maybe a tornado or an earthquake or a zombie attack. But I'm not that lucky... the story of my life!

Drake
I only kissed her to keep her safe from her abusive ex. It didn't mean anything.
(Lie number 1.)

And it barely affected me.
(Lie number 2)

And I'm not the least bit attracted to her, because she's all wrong for me.
(Lie number 3)

Now my head is so messed up I'm willing to fly around the world and make a fool of myself to get her attention.
(That's a solid truth!)

MY TAKE
A princess and a dreamy drummer! I love these Underground Granny Matchmakers books. They are sooo fun! And this romcom even has an element of suspense.

Marki has lived a sheltered life because her uncle's a control freak. She's just finished graduate school, something she had to fight for, and skips the graduation ceremony in an attempt to get out and see the world. You see, her uncle is also the king of her country, and even in this modern day has power over her that made my eyes cross. And he's arranged a marriage for her. One she doesn't want. Or, at least she wants to mark off some items on her bucket list before she's forced to.

And she seeks help from the UGMs and lands at GeeBee's house where she meets Drake. After seeing how the grannies wrangled two other members of the team that makes up the extremely popular rock band, Race and the Mad Hatters, Drake is wary of the old ladies. As the band's drummer, he's happy as a single guy with no intensions of getting involved with anyone. Besides, as an outdoor enthusiast, he'd only even consider a woman who was good at and shared those same passions.

And that is definitely not Marki.

But Drake's also a champion for the underdog, even if he hadn't really known that about himself. And when he's told a story about how she's running from a Mafia father wanting to force her into a marriage, he's all about helping the grannies to keep her Marki safe.

And thus begins a hilarious and touching story of two unlikely and very different people (she's never even heard of the Mad Hatters!!), who discover some amazing things about each other and even themselves. There's a swoony music video I totally wish I could see!! *sigh*

I've loved all the books in the series, but this might be my favorite. A full five stars!

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Humorous, warm, pageturnery, and I felt their connection! That is always important to me, and I felt all the feels! It’s what I’ve come to expect from Dearen, but high expectations can lead to disappointment, but here my expectations were fully met! Marki and Drake are so cute together, even though they’re both fighting it, they’re so good for each other. Marki is raised with this lesson, and I quote from the book: “feelings were like sharks, ready to chew you up.” No wonder she doesn’t know how to deal with feelings. A lot of contemplation, and assumptions on both sides. I really connected with both Drake and Marki, great book!

[A.M. Hogue · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute!

Jingle Bell Rock was such a cute story! I've read all the Underground Granny Matchmaker books and they never leave me disappointed. I didn't know how they were going to get Marki out of her farce of a wedding, with her basically being under lock and key, and now the cover makes so much more sense! This was a fun read.

[Karen Brasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jingle Bell Rock

What a marvelous story! Drake and Marki have an adventure running from her uncle. Drake thinks he is keeping Marki from an abusive ex but she is really a Princess running away from her controlling uncle. Her uncle has made arrangements for her to marry a philandering womanizer. Needless to say she does not want to be attached to that type of guy. Will Drake be able to keep her from his clutches? Thanks Ms Dearen for a fun filled read.

[Ynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love it when two stubborn people fall in love hahaha

It was a nice read but Marki frustrated me at some point. I loved their dynamic and the plot twist was nice! The ending felt a bit rushed, could have taken a bit longer but I liked it nevertheless :)

[Wioletta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jingle Bell Rock

Grannies at matchmaking again.
Marki needs to hide, her uncle promised her hand in marriage to the men she doesn't know and love.
Grannies asked Drake to help Marki, by taking her with him and hiding.
Tamie wrote wonderful, funny book which I enjoyed reading very much

[Lindsay Rankin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story!

I enjoyed reading this cute and fun book! I really like this series and I am looking forward to reading more books by this author!

[Christoph J Sikora · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Level Ten Rom-Com!

The Underground Granny Matchmakers just keep getting better! By book three, both West and Race have been matched and are happily to the women chosen for them by the UGMs. Now it's the drummer's turn.

Drake Channon is single and content with his life of adventure, ticking items off his bucket list and deciding not to consider a future with a woman who doesn't have skill at, experience in, and enthusiasm for outdoor activities like the hiking, camping, and rock climbing he loves. Then he meets Marki, a clumsy but perky and snarky woman who is afraid of lizards, has no idea how to camp or climb, and is ten years younger than him. She's also on the run from a wedding she doesn't want and can't reveal her identity for fear of implicating anyone who comes in contact with her. She meets the UGMs--and Drake, who happens to open the door to a bush-headed (literally) and panicky Marki, who thinks the twigs stuck in her blouse are lizard claws. GeeBee (Race and West's grandma Bette) and Grandma Loretta (grandmother of April and Harmony, the guys' respective wives), AKA the Underground Granny Matchmakers, have secretly planned to match Marki with Drake, but of course they don't let them know about it. Instead, they imply that Marki's father is a mafia boss and has power the police can't touch. Marki goes along with the charade, and Drake takes her deep into the woods to camp, away from traceable cell signals. Race and April own land with several cabins, so they make for that property. On the way, Marki breaks her toe but refuses to go to a hospital because her disappearance from her college graduation has made national news and she wants to avoid being recognized because she's terrified that her uncle (the real tyrant, not an invented mob boss dad) will retrieve her and force the nightmare wedding to take place.

Marki asks Drake to give her lessons in understanding men because her upbringing has been sheltered to the point of house arrest--she's never met any man, much less befriended or dated one. She thinks Drake, a reformed ladies' man, can teach her plenty. He decides to start with a kissing lesson, and her first kiss ignites a flame of attraction for both of them. He tells her that the kiss was a "level five" on a scale of one to ten, but he won't give her the "level eight" kiss she asks for because he wants to control himself.

After a few days in April's cabin, Marki admits her feelings for Drake to April and Harmony, while an ATV-riding Drake admits his own feelings for Marki to West and Race. The consensus on both sides: TALK ABOUT IT! But Marki thinks Drake will be so disgusted by her apparent lies that he'll leave, and Drake worries that Marki sees him as an old man. When Drake returns to the cabin, he finds Marki gone and a short, painfully polite thank you note in her place. His sense of loss clues him in to the depth of his feelings for Marki.

Meanwhile, the UGMs have told Marki that Drake is a placeholder for her true match, nicknamed Wolfman. Marki feels ambivalent and wonders why she prefers Drake to the unknown Wolfman, the grannies' supposed perfect match for her. Drake, jealous of "Wolfman", begs the UGMs to reconsider their choice, only to be told that he himself is Wolfman!

Marki has returned to her native country, where her uncle the king is absolute ruler and has dictated that the Princess Marquietta (Marki's true identity) must marry the day she turns 26. Marki was born at 3:48pm on Christmas Eve, so the wedding will take place at 4:00. April researches the country's laws and discovers that at the precise moment she turns 26, Marki will inherit a hefty trust fund. Having planned ahead, April got Drake and Marki to sign a marriage license "in case of emergency". An imminent forced marriage across the world qualifies!

The wedding will occur in the palace with ticketed guests inside, followed by a grand reception. April, fast becoming the brains of Operation Marki Rescue, alters a Nutcracker costume to fit Drake so that he can pass for an usher at the wedding. During the ceremony, he yells "I object!" and waves the signed marriage license at Marki, her groom, and her uncle the king.At the same time, Marki's older brothers let loose seven climbing lizards among the guests. In the confusion, Marki disappears.

Her older brother guides Drake to the king's private office, and in a showdown with Drake, the groom decides being married to Marki isn't as appealing as escaping the country to avoid arrest. After he leaves, Marki's grandmother sweeps in and thanks her son for his service as "king regent" during her extended absence. She's ready to resume the throne, however, and his services are no longer needed. Her first royal decree declares Drake and Marki's U.S. marriage legal in Marki's country. They celebrate with a "level eight" or even "level nine" kiss.

Only Tamie Dearen can make multiple tropes fresh and fun! I would gladly reread this book. Highly recommended!

[Priscila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe it took me this long to read Jingle Bell Rock. It was so good! Marki and Drake's story was perfect, and as always with this author, she delivered on all the laughs and swoons. Seriously, the chemistry was 🔥, loved the "man lessons," but especially how, while they both had preconceived ideas of who their ideal partners would be, they realized the other was the perfect fit for them.

As always with a series, it was fun seeing past characters we've been introduced to. On the one hand, the grannies are a hoot and it was interesting to see them recognize their lying/stretching the truth abilities. Of course, this all works because the reader knows everything but the MCs (especially poor Drake) only know what they've been told. Still, there are some snort-laughing situations, and everything's straightened out in the end. On the other hand, I loved the update on Race and April and his role in this book, since he's bandmates with Drake, and the one on West and Harmony (and Betsie).

Seriously, you can't go wrong with a book by this author, but I think this rom-com series just keeps getting better and better. I can't wait to dive into the next one! ~ 5 stars

[Shauna Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

When your being chased where can you hide? In a bush, of course.
That is the beginning of a wonderful read you are sure to enjoy. Princess Marquietta, Marki, is going to be forced by her uncle to marry and man she doesn’t even like, she’s managed to escape to the home of BeeGee, the leader of the Underground Granny Matchmakers, but she’s been tracked. Diving into a bush is the first place she hides but obviously she needs some place better where she can wait for the grannies to find her a temporary husband to stop the forced marriage. Drake is at BeeGee’s house helping with the yard when Marki arrives and he helps her untangle from the bush. He quickly makes it clear that he is not looking for a wife and will not work with the grannies. But if Marki needs somewhere to hide and he already is planning a camping trip, wouldn’t only be polite and gentlemanly to take her along and keep her safe? After all the grannies know he’s not interested, and even if Marki has never been camping what could possibly go wrong? A great read you’ll surely enjoy.

[Imfullybooked2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swoony fun read

Marki and Drake had an adorable and hilarious first meeting. There was definitely a physical attraction between them.  A very adorable entertaining Meet Cute.  The lovely clever tricky grannies (Loretta and Geebee)  were at it again. Using their smarts to connect two gullible people who were already attracted to each other but were in denial. They are such caring people that they'd rather give up on their feelings in order to protect the other/make the other happy. 


There are tons of sweet, swoony, flirtatious, playful, heartwarming and hilaruous moments between Marki and Drake. So many hilarious banters between the characters. This read is a very entertaining read, never a dull scene. I'm loving the whole series!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wouldn't usually pick up a royal romance, but the first two books in the Underground Granny Matchmakers series were a hoot, and I have enjoyed all of author Tamie Dearen's books that I've had a chance to read. I am so glad that I read this royal rom/com! The characters are very likeable, and their chemistry is sizzling, but the story is clean. Jingle Bell Rock is truly laugh out loud funny. The grannies are up to their usual scheming, but all in the name of true love. There is a great HEA for Marki and Drake. I sat down and read the book in one afternoon. There just wasn't a good place to stop.
I received a complimentary copy and am sharing my opinion of this well-written romantic comedy.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marki is a princess whose Uncle Andre, the king of a small European country, pretty much holds her prisoner in the castle. He finally allows her to go to Stanford to get a degree in business. She skips graduation and flees to LA where she meets with the Underground Grannies, seeking a temporary husband to keep from having a forced marriage arranged by her uncle. Drake is a rock star, playing drums for the Hatters. He has no desire to get married but when he stops by Granny B's house for cookies and to help her out, he meets Marki and when he thinks she is running from an abusive ex, he becomes very protective. This is a fun read with sweet characters and lots of twists.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jingle Bell Rock is a sweet, heartwarming, opposites attract, romantic comedy. This well written romance is also a fairy tale that is a nightmare! You can read the blurb for the plot. I just want to say that I was enchanted, intrigued and mesmerized by this tale. The characters are likeable, the underground grannies are involved, there is an out of control uncle oppressing his princess niece and more. I had no idea how the grannies would pull off this match but they did - in a truly spectacular fashion. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars!

[Anna B · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Underground Granny Matchmakers are at it again in this gloriously wonderful princess story. As usual they have surprises up their sleeves and Drake has no idea who’s coming his way.
He’s determined never to marry and certainly not a younger woman but can he withstand Marki’s innocence, heart, and snark? I laughed at the vivid picture Tamie painted in those cringeworthy moments, loved the banter and rooted for Drake and Marki.
This book is as much fun as it is romantic and I found myself reading straight through to the finish as fast as possible. Oh so totally satisfying.

[Lynn Hyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't Outsmart the Grannies

I love the whole idea of Grannies scheming to make their loved ones happy. Chase and Marki are the targets in this book, and international relationships aren't even too much for the Grannies. Once again, I love how the chapters switch back and forth between the love interests. The witty dialog and bantering are my favorite things. There's real life issues with narcissism and controlling issues, as well as age differences in a relationship. Funny, happy ending ties it all up, and now we wait for the next book in the series.

[The Flipped Page (Susan K) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, sweet, contemporary royal romance

Romance, sweet, contemporary, royal; series, but stand alone romantic comedy
Marki and Drake’s fall was a fun romantic comedy. They fought their attraction, but fell in a sweet, way. Loved their care for each other, the tender concern Drake showed her while camping. Loved her determination, courage, and grit. Sweet fall and great chemistry. Loved the lyrics for Drake’s single declaration of his love for her. A fun addition to the granny matchmaker series.

[Linda Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put the book down I had to finish it

Good characters that make you laugh throughout the book. Good plot, Uncle is the bad man And the 2 lovers have to go through several different obstacles. I was able to read it in 1 sitting because I just couldn't put it down just when I thought it was gonna finish it took another curve. I like this author style of riding and will be reading more of hers.

[Ashleigh Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute royalty/rockstar contemporary romance. She’s on the run from her uncle, convinced the FBI is after her because her VISA ran out and she does not want to go back to her kingdom where she will be forced to marry. She and the grannies work together to create a fake marriage with Drake to keep her from being able to be legally married to another. Of course, real feelings ensue. Can he stop the next marriage in time?

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The grannies are at it again in their match making business. This time they are matching a run away princess and a rock star. The funny part about it is that the rock star doesn't realize that the grannies have him in their sights. The humor and heart felt drama keeps the reader going until the last page.

[Karen Peale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and swoon you

This turned Out to be my favorite of the series. I hope she continues the underground granny matchmaker characters. I hope the hint at the end of the book was that there was another book coming. There were parts that were hilarious and he was definitely swoon worthy.

[Maria Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like royalty romances. or matchmakers. or both, this might be the book for you. I think I liked the first two better than this one but it still had its moments. I think this story was on the edgy end of clean. Sex was mentioned a number of times and there were references to previous drug and alcohol abuse.

Sex: innuendo, references to sex
Language: no
Violence: no

[Delta A Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute love story

Not usually a book I would typically read. Well plot wise it’s different from all the others. which I like because it’s nice to change it up. I loved the whole idea of Grandmas plotting to find love for others. But it was a good book. Very cute love story! And the uncle needs Karma to pay him a visit.

[Angela (justwant_2read) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book. I didn’t read any others from the series and it could definitely be a stand alone. There was a lot of back and forth and arguing, it was a bit much for me personally at times, but that is just personal preference. I thought that the storyline was a lot of fun, and a fun theme for the series (Matchmaking grannies).

[Ruth Caves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clueless

Almost totally clueless, but with the best intentions, these characters stumble through a quirky love story that definitely wasn't written in the stars. But, since there is a fine line between love and hate, we end up with an amazing happily ever after.
It's always best to remember that a person can always have hidden or undiscovered talents.

[Dawner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute "princess in hiding" story. Another guy falls first, even though Drake (rock star) tries not to. Her uncle is weirdo annoying. I like the grannies code name wolfman for him. Their banter is good. Funny she has no clue what he finds attractive. Good story and like how it came together. Just her insistance on "protecting" him by marrying the sleeze was annoying.

[Ru4repeat · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I want you to have so many highlights..."

"I want you to have so many highlights that your life looks like someone spraypainted it yellow.”
Cute story, fun antics, great banter....but way too much lusting and oogling body parts. Near the end, I was more offended than I was blushing.