REVIEW: Nick and Noel’s Christmas Playlist by Codi Hall

Nick and Noel’s Christmas Playlist by Codi Hall is the first book in the Mistletoe Romance series. I have not read any books by this author or her pen name, Codi Gary, previously and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The cover is cute and catches the eye right away and the blurb does a great job describing the book. I loved the holiday trendy names of the characters and meeting all the people from the small town of Mistletoe. The book was beautifully written, had an original storyline, and had charming characters.

Nick Winter was returning to his hometown of Mistletoe after spending eight years in the army and was excited to see his girlfriend, Amanda. After having a long-distance relationship for so long, he was ready to settle down, get married, and start a family. Unfortunately, Amanda dumps him on his first day home claiming they do not have anything in common anymore. He slowly realizes that Amanda and he would never have made it as a couple. He is disappointed but the more time he spends with Noel, his best friend, the more he realizes she is the one for him. Only she is afraid of relationships and does not want to ever marry or have children.

Noel Carter had lost her parents ten years prior when they had an accident on the way to the yearly Mistletoe Christmas Concert. Several generations ago the Carter family had started the concert tradition but after her parent’s death, Noel avoided it every year. Since then, she stays away from committed relationships and keeps her distance from people. She is too scared of the potential pain if she allows others close and then loses them. She has buried her dreams of marriage and children and now only keeps things casual with men. Trapped by her fears, she keeps trying to deny her attraction to Nick. She finally realizes she must overcome her fears if she wants to live a full life.

This book would make a wonderful Hallmark movie. It is full of fun holiday cheer, family, love, and friendship. It is a fun, festive book to ring in the holiday season. Nick and Noel had been friends since they were children. I loved watching their friendship slowly change over to them dating. They were both scared of losing their friendship if things did not work out, but Noel was also scared she would lose her close relationship with the Winter family. His parents had been close friends to her parents, and they had taken her under their wings when her parents died. This was a delightful book with plenty of humor that will leave you with a smile on your face at the end. I loved meeting all the side characters and hope to see them in future books.

Book Info:

Publication: October 5, 2021 | Sourcebooks Casablanca | Mistletoe Romance Book #1

Curl up this Christmas with a sparkling romance filled with:
• Irresistible friends-to-lovers romance
• The kiss that changed everything
• Warm nights on the family Christmas tree farm
• All your favorite Christmas songs!

Nick Winter is just out of the military, and his Christmas homecoming is not going as planned. What was supposed to be a memorable holiday with his long-time girlfriend goes sour when he learns she cheated on him while he was stationed overseas. At least Nick can rely on his usual shift at the family Christmas tree farm with his best friend, Noel Carter, and her endless supply of Christmas tunes to lift his spirits. A night of fun together is just what he needs to forget about his ex.

But then they kiss. And it feels…so right.

If Noel can turn Nick’s Blue Christmas merry and bright, this might be the last Christmas Nick spends with a broken heart. This year, they’ll be Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree as a couple―as long as Nick’s ex doesn’t go standing under any mistletoe.