Release Blitz + Review: "Jingle Bell Beard" by Julie Kriss

Earlier this week, I introduced the Kringle Family Christmas series by S. Doyle, M. O'Keefe, and Julie Kriss, a follow up to 2020's Kane Christmas series. Today, I'm excited to feature the third and final book of this year's series, "Jingle Bell Beard" by Julie Kriss.

Jasmine Collingwood and Matt "the Mountain" Kringle dated for a few months in high school, but she dumped him because she knew his talent would lead him to a career in the NHL, while she would be left behind in their hometown of Salt Springs, Colorado. Seventeen years later, Jasmine was struggling after being laid off from her job at a PR firm. She'd been forced to take a temp job at the mall as one of Santa's elves, but she really hoped to launch her own consulting business. Her big break came when Matt's sister Kristen hired her to help revive their family business, the Kringle Inn and Christmas Tree Farm. Jasmine designed an ambitious publicity campaign to increase the inn's holiday bookings, but the problem was that it hinged on convincing Matt to return home and make appearances on behalf of the family business. Matt had already turned down his sister and brother's requests for help, but surprisingly, when Jasmine called, he found himself saying yes. Even after all these years, he still remembered Jasmine as the one who got away, and he couldn't help wondering if there might be a chance for them now that they were older.
 

Matt was a deliciously grumpy hero, but I loved how he seemed softer when he was with Jasmine. They were super cute together with great chemistry and witty banter. In addition, I really empathized with Matt's struggles in regards to figuring out the next steps in his hockey career, especially the way he felt pushed out because of his age and the effects of various injuries over the years. Finally, I loved the Kane Company Easter eggs that were included in this story, particularly the cameo by Penelope near the end.

Overall, "Jingle Bell Beard" was a great ending to the Kringle Family Christmas series, and I highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary/small town romance, sports romance, and romantic comedy. I hope the authors will continue these collaborations in the future!

 

*Review copy provided by the author/publisher via Grey's Promotions. All opinions expressed are my own.   

 

 

About "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.