Review: A Holly Jolly Ever After by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone (audio)
A Holly Jolly Ever After by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone, narrated by Joy Nash and Chris Brinkley, is the second in the Christmas Notch series. In this novel, Kallum Lieberman is considered the least attractive and high-profile of the INK boy band members, and he currently runs a successful pizza chain called Slice, Slice, Baby. Unfortunately for him, he is skyrocketed back into fame with a sex tape, and his dad bod is now the desire of women everywhere. In the latest Hope Channel movie, he’s paired with do-gooder Winnie Baker, only she’s fallen from good status to no good status thanks to the lies of her ex-husband who cheated.
I preferred this story to the first in the series, and it’s not because there is any less graphic sex scenes or over the top drama. It’s because the characters of Kallum and Winnie are drawn deeper and struggle with serious scars from their pasts and have deep trust issues.
They make a professional pact to ensure the film will be a success, but their deal pushes them closer to the bedroom than either of them planned on, and they both begin feeling that their pact has opened the door to something they are not emotionally ready for.
There are some hilarious scenes in this novel, and Kallum is a bit oblivious at times, while Winnie is still unsure of her own mind and body. It’s clear that any relationship between them will require more in-depth soul searching on her part.
I liked how these characters grew together and set their own boundaries for their relationship and broke those boundaries at every turn. They were forced to look at themselves and how they were coping with their own scars and look forward to how they wanted their lives to move forward. A Holly Jolly Ever After by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone is a delightful read with plenty of smut.
RATING: Quatrain
About the Authors:
Julie Murphy is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dumplin’, Puddin', Ramona Blue, and Side Effects May Vary. She lives in North Texas with her husband who loves her, her dog who adores her, and her cats who tolerate her. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading, traveling, or hunting down the perfect slice of pizza. Before writing full time, she held numerous jobs, such as wedding dress consultant, failed barista, and, ultimately, librarian. Learn more about her at www.juliemurphywrites.com.
Sierra Simone is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling former library employee (who spent too much time reading romance novels at the information desk). Her notable works include Priest, American Queen, and A Merry Little Meet Cute, and her books have been featured in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Entertainment Weekly, and Buzzfeed. She lives with her husband and family in Kansas City.