Hi, Codi! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

Sure! Hi, I’m Codi Gary and I live in Idaho with my mid-size children and my top shelf reaching husband. I have a menagerie of fur and feather babies that are spoiled and often needy. When I’m not writing, I am working my day job, doing homework as I’m currently going back to school, and watching Halloween and Christmas crafting TikToks. I’m currently reading a Harry Potter fanfic with a group of author friends and some day, I’m going to travel to Scotland because I’ve been dreaming of it since I was eleven.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

I’ve been an avid book lover since I was three and would listen to books on cassettes, but it wasn’t until I was eleven that I discovered my love of writing. I used journaling and writing horror stories as a way to work through a turbulent time in my life. Writing was cathartic and when I got my first computer, I started saving my stories to floppy disks. (Yes, I am dating myself.)

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: Moondust and Madness, which was an alien abduction romance.
• The one that made you want to become an author: L. Stine’s Broken Hearts. I hated the ending and found myself rewriting it in my head, and then I wrote it down. I wanted the bad guy to survive.
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Julie Garwood’s For the Roses. I read it when I was fifteen after getting my heart broken and it made me laugh when I’d spent days crying. I’ve reread that book dozens of times since then.

Your latest novel, Along Came Holly, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Gnome War Leads to Steam? Grinch and Mrs. Clause get down? Angry Neighbors get an HEA? He sure hung her lights? LOL I am so bad at this!

What can readers expect?

Like all of my books, there are emotional moments and maybe even a few tear jerker spots, but I hope readers get a lot of laughs out of Holly. I had so much fun writing these two and getting to spend time with previous characters. Nick and Noel fans are gonna want to snatch this up because there is a… nevermind, I’ve said too much.

Where did the inspiration for Along Came Holly come from?

When this series came to me, all I had were the titles of the books. I knew I wanted it to be an enemies-to-lovers with the boy next (store) door. The biggest inspiration was the prank war, which was actually inspired by two teachers at my kid’s school. They didn’t find love together, but their antics were so hysterical, I knew I wanted to include it in Holly.

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

I love writing realistic characters with problems and reactions we can relate to. Declan’s past was especially interesting to write and evolved as I went through edits. I also pulled inspiration from some of my favorite TikTok creators and of course, their prank war often made me laugh out loud. My husband was worried for my sanity.

What’s next for you?

I have a few projects I’m working on for my agent to take out on submission and some indie titles I’ve had on the back burner the last few years that I want to release in 2024. Finding Mr. Purrfect, the second book in my Meow and Furever series, releases January 16th 2024. As for Mistletoe, I hope to write a spin off series where Pike, Anthony, and Sam find love.

Lastly, do you have any holiday themed book recommendations for our readers?

This year, I’ve read four holiday romances that are releasing this fall and absolutely loved them!

• The Trouble with Tinsel by Juliet Giglio, Keith Giglio
• The Christmas Wager by Holly Cassidy (It is her book’s birthday too!)
• Second Chances in New Port Stephen by TJ Alexander
• It’s a Fabulous Life by Kelly Farmer

Will you be picking up Along Came Holly? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Codi Hall, Author of ‘Along Came Holly’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Along Came Holly is the third installment of Hall’s Mistletoe Romance series and I highly recommend reading the three books in order as Nick and Noel’s from Nick and Noel’s Christmas Playlist and Merry and Clark’s from There’s Something About Merry stories continue here. This is a contemporary Christmas romantic comedy featuring the “enemies to lovers”, forced proximity, and grumpy with sunshine tropes. Themes and topics present include family roles, marriage and divorce, Alzheimer’s, social media and privacy, growing up, miscommunication, appearance versus reality, and loneliness and isolation. This would of course be perfect for fans of Christmassy rom-coms like Jingle Wars by R. Holmes and Veronica Eden, The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox, Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison, and Booked for the Holidays by Chelsea Curto.

This was fairly light-hearted and very Christmassy; Holly had an Elf-like vibe whereas Declan was more like The Grinch, which made for a humorous read. The prank wars definitely added a touch of comedy to their story, and I liked their spicy “will they, won’t they” relationship. In my opinion, it would be the perfect book to read by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate during your Christmas vacation or to listen to whilst doing your holiday wrapping or baking.

On the downside, I didn’t feel as connected to and invested in Holly and Declan’s story for some reason, especially in comparison to the other two books in the series. In some moments, it kind of dragged, but this may have been because this was very much a slow burn (which isn’t my favourite) and I personally found the ending to be a little cheesy for my tastes.

Overall, Along Came Holly was a fun and humorous slow burn romance that’s perfect for the upcoming holiday season!

Along Came Holly is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up Along Came Holly? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Holly Winters is not about to let her grumpy neighbor Declan steal her holiday joy…even if he does look rather handsome under the mistletoe.

Holly Winters owns the jolliest holiday shop on Main Street and this season is shaping up to be the best yet. The only pit in her figgy pudding? Declan Gallagher, the owner of the hardware store next door. He’s the scroogiest man in all of Mistletoe, Idaho. Then Holly’s revenge prank escalates into an all-out war with her Grinchy neighbor, and the situation turns sticky when she realizes she needs his help.

Declan can’t believe the nerve of his oh-so-cheerful neighbor hiring him to set up her holiday lights display, but the money is too good to pass up. Despite his utter loathing of excessive decorations, he throws himself into getting the job done, only to encounter sabotage at every turn. To his astonishment, Declan finds himself championing the very woman who used to get under his skin. Then one rooftop kiss has him thinking maybe the season’s traditions aren’t as heinous as he believed. Declan’s heart has grown three sizes since Holly came along, but how can he admit he’s falling for the one woman he shouldn’t want?

The post Review: Along Came Holly by Codi Hall appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover a few of our picks and tell us in the comments below if you will be picking up any of them!

This Spells Disaster by Tori Anne Martin
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Fake dating gets a magical twist in this enchanting queer romantic comedy where a witch worries that the real feelings brewing between her and her crush were sparked by an accidental love potion, and the only way out of the disastrous spell is a healthy dose of the truth–drink up, witches.

The Long Game by Elena Armas
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A disgraced soccer exec reluctantly enlists the help of a retired soccer star in coaching a children’s team in this smalltown love story in the vein of Ted Lasso and It Happened One Summer —from the New York Times bestselling author of The Spanish Love Deception.

The Ex-Mas Holidays by Zoe Allison
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It’s hard to escape your ex when you’re working together over Christmas in the Scottish Highlands, but being stuck together might be the best possible present in this sparkling new contemporary romance.

A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by K.J. Charles
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Bridgerton goes Gothic in this sweeping Regency romance by celebrated author KJ Charles.

Love Me Do by Lindsey Kelk
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A feelgood, sunshine-filled, friends-to-lovers romcom, Love Me Do is a dreamy summer love story, perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Emily Henry.

Full Moon Over Freedom by Angelina M. Lopez
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Gillian Armstead-Bancroft—Pride of the East Side and once-perfect bruja, wife, and mother—is going to spend her summer getting good at being bad.

A Shot in the Dark by Victoria Lee
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An emotionally powerful romance novel about two people finding love after struggling with addiction–ultimately discovering what it means to be completely and unapologetically themselves.

Enchanted to Meet You by Meg Cabot
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A witchy rom-com from New York Times bestseller Meg Cabot about a plus size witch who must team up with a handsome stranger to help protect her village from an otherworldly force–but will she be able to protect her heart?

My Rogue to Ruin by Erica Ridley
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The riotous Wynchester family has taken on a new case to expose a forger, but the prime suspect isn’t at all what he seems in this captivating Regency romp from a New York Times bestselling author.

The Wake-Up Call by Beth O’Leary
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Two hotel receptionists—and arch-rivals—find a collection of old wedding rings and compete to return them to their owners, discovering their own love story along the way.

Unrealistic Expectations by Andie J. Christopher
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When a relationship therapist gets dumped right before her new dating handbook hits shelves, she fake dates to save face in this spicy romantic comedy.

Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score
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#1 New York Times bestselling author Lucy Score returns to spicy-sweet Knockemout, Virginia with Lucian and Sloane’s story.

Fall of Ruin and Wrath by Jennifer L. Armentrout
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From Jennifer L. Armentrout, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of From Blood and Ash, comes the beginning of a searing fantasy romance series for adults, Fall of Ruin and Wrath.

The Christmas Wager by Holly Cassidy
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A delightful enemies-to-lovers holiday rom com set in the quaint mountain town of Maple Falls, Colorado, about a city girl and a small-town boy who compete in the town’s annual holiday games in order to win the right price for a charming, local Christmas shop, perfect for fans of The Hating Game and The Twelve Dates of Christmas.

Main Character Energy by Jamie Varon
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Featuring family drama, a juicy romance subplot, and some publishing behind-the-scenes, Main Character Energy is ultimately like getting a pep talk from your best friends

Witches Get Stuff Done by Molly Harper
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Juggling newfound witchy powers, a house full of ghosts, and verbal battles with the handsome local librarian is almost too much for a new witch to manage. A new witch with a coven, however, can get so much more done…

Every Duke Has His Day by Suzanne Enoch
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Brain meets Beauty in this sparkling, fresh take on the classic Bringing Up Baby – if Jane Austen had written it! A romantic comedy with a dash of chaos featuring the most ill-behaved poodle in Regency London, by New York Times bestseller Suzanne Enoch.

The Christmas Orphans Club by Becca Freeman
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From bookfluencer and host of the BAD ON PAPER podcast, a riotous holiday rom-com about four friends in NYC who hold onto their unconventional Christmas tradition even when their paths diverge—but the changes they fear might be exactly what they need…

Along Came Holly by Codi Hall
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Holly Winters is not about to let her grumpy neighbor Declan steal her holiday joy…even if he does look rather handsome under the mistletoe.

Thank You For Sharing by Rachel Runya Katz
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A chemistry-filled childhood friends to enemies to lovers debut romance about two people forced to confront their pasts to save both their relationship and careers.

Fling by Joseph Murray
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At once heartfelt and hilarious, this story of a fateful—and faithful—affair reminds us that sometimes, what we’re looking for might just be closer than we think . . . 

Wrapped with a Beau by Lillie Vale
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In its heyday, Piney Peaks and its beloved Christmas house were made famous by Sleighbells under Starlight, a romantic holiday movie. Fifty years later, the small town is ready for a new love story.

You, Again by Kate Goldbeck
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A commitment-phobe and a hopeless romantic clash over and over again—until heartbreak and unexpected chemistry bring them together in this clever enemies-to-friends-to-lovers debut romance.

The Beginning of Everything by Jackie Fraser
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An irresistible friends-to-lovers novel of resilience, hope, and new beginnings from the author of The Bookshop of Second Chances.

What September romance reads are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post September 2023 Romance Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

When Nick Winter comes home to stay after serving in the military, he is shocked when his long-time girlfriend dumps him. Similarly, Nick’s best friend Noel, an orphan who has known Nick since they were in diapers, is surprised when her hook-up partner posts a romantic picture with a different girl on social media. To save face in front of their exes whilst at a bar celebrating Nick’s homecoming, Nick and Noel share a passionate kiss on the dance floor…what should have been awkward turns out to be very enjoyable! But Noel, who is no stranger to loss, has a hard time committing; is it worth risking her relationships with Nick and his family, some of the only people that Noel is close with, for a chance at something more? Things get even more complicated when Nick and Noel’s exes try to rekindle their relationships and some of Nick and Noel’s friends reveal a few unexpected holiday surprises.

Nick and Noel’s Christmas Playlist is a sexy slowburn “friends to lovers” holiday romance novel that uses the fake dating trope. This book would be perfect for lovers of The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren, People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry, and Hang the Moon by Alexandria Bellefleur. This book deals with themes such as death and loss, love and heartbreak, character, overcoming fear, family, female roles, loneliness, reunion, war, vulnerability, as well as inner and outer strength. The moral of the story, as Noel comes to realise, is that you shouldn’t let your fears of loss and heartbreak keep you away from romance and love; “[she] realised that by pushing her parents and past away, she hadn’t been able to move forward with her life. It left her stunted and closed to all of the possibilities life had for her, including love.”

First off, Nick and Noel’s Christmas Playlist exceeded my expectations! I loved how there were a lot of chart toppers and Christmas songs referenced throughout this book. Nick has the perfect playlist for every type of occasion and there is even a playlist included at the end of the book—I will definitely be listening to this non-stop in December! I liked how even though this book was “Christmasy” (e.g. Nick’s family’s Christmas tree farm, the Mistletoe Christmas Concert, as well as a lot of the main characters’ names), it wasn’t overdone. Although ideally suited for the Christmas season, Nick and Noel’s Christmas Playlist could be read at any time of the year. Lastly, I’d like to share one of my favourite quotes from the book that I think perfectly describes Nick and Noel’s unique relationship: “Unicorns are overrated. You’re a Hippogriff.”

Some minor cons for me were that this book was a bit of a tear-jerker because Noel does a lot of reminiscing about her late parents. Also, even though it was comical, I was not a fan of the stripper show at Brews and Chews, followed by finding Nick’s ex-girlfriend, Amber, to be extremely annoying; she kept on showing up even though it was clear that she was an unwanted source of conflict for the other characters. Lastly, I found that all the drama going on at the end of the book got wrapped up unrealistically fast.

Since this is the first book in Codi Hall’s Mistletoe Romance book series, I am really hoping that there will be another story featuring these wonderful characters. It would be great to find out if anything happens between Nick’s sister Holly and her “Grinch” of a neighbour because there seemed to be some flirting going on. Overall, Nick and Noel’s Christmas Playlist was a fun, engaging, and romantic read that is perfect for Christmastime!

Nick and Noel’s Christmas Playlist is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of October 5th 2021.

Will you be picking up Nick and Noel’s Christmas Playlist? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

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….

The post Review: Nick and Noel’s Christmas Playlist by Codi Hall appeared first on The Nerd Daily.