Veterans Romance Reading Recommendations

 Since it's Veterans Day, I wanted to share with you some of my favorite romance reads featuring military veterans. Each story moved me in one way or another and changed me in ways I can't even describe. 

Thank you to the authors who recognize the importance of military representation in literature. Thank you for bringing these characters to life and humanizing the trials and tribulations and the struggles active duty soldiers, veterans, and their families face every day while championing their strength and perseverance. 

🔹🔹🔷Heart of a Hero series by Laura Trentham🔷🔹🔹

🔹🔹🔷Worth the Fall by Claudia Connor🔷🔹🔹

🔹🔹🔷New Orleans series by Karen Rose🔷🔹🔹

🔹🔹🔷SBG series by P.A. DePaul🔷🔹🔹

🔹🔹🔷Hard Ink series by Laura Kaye🔷🔹🔹

🔹🔹🔷Nick & Noel's Christmas Playlist by Codi Hall🔷🔹🔹

🔹🔹🔷Deep Ops series by Rebecca Zanetti🔷🔹🔹

What are some of your favorite books featuring the military, soldiers, or veterans?

Please share with us!

Day 20: Along Came Holly by Codi Hall

Happy Holidays!

Today is Day 20 of my holiday reading recommendations.

Along Came Holly by Codi Hall!

This is the 3rd book in Codi's Mistletoe Romance series. It showcases three adult siblings that grew up on a Christmas tree farm, set against the backdrop of a small town in the Pacific Northwest!

All the books in this series (and the spinoff) are heartwarming and hilarious!

Get your copy today!

About the Book

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?

My Review

The books in Codi Hall’s Mistletoe Romance series were first released annually as an audiobook special and then the print/eBooks were published a year afterward. Since I’m not a big audiobook person, I have been (im)patiently waiting to read Along Came Holly. And it was so worth the wait!

Along Came Holly is a perfect enemies-to-lovers story backdropped by a small-town full of Christmas cheer, literally named Mistletoe! There’s laughter, hijinks, everything Christmas and a love story so powerful, it’ll melt the iciest of hearts!

Declan has been such a mystery and in Along Came Holly, we get to peel back his layers, seeing why he hates Christmas. It’s heartbreaking, bittersweet, and endearing. There’s so much more to Declan than his gruff disposition and his constant scowl. I just want to give him a big hug!

Holly is a firecracker and larger than life. She’s passionate about everything she does and I admire that about her. Holly is also a fierce protector of her family and those she calls her own. She’s courageous, confident and has the most wicked sense of humor! I would totally be BFFs with her because I definitely don’t want to be on the receiving end of her ire or that fiery temper she brandishes as easily as her love and loyalty.

I absolutely LOVE this story! Holly and Declan are business neighbors and have been feuding since the beginning of the series. I love their banter and their chemistry is off the charts! It’ll take a Christmas miracle, and some help from the gang in Mistletoe to keep the peace between Holly and Declan and… help them discover that what they both needed was always right there in front of them. Each other.

This story has ALL the feels and will have you laughing, crying and falling in love right alongside Holly and Declan. I highly recommend this and every book in the Mistletoe Romance series! It’s got everything you need: Christmas, small-town, family, fun, crocheted peens, loveable pets, a Christmas tree farm and so much more!

FTC Disclaimer: I voluntarily read a copy of the book generously provided by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influences my thoughts or feelings about the book or the content of my review.

Purchase Links

Codi Hall Website

About the Author

Codi Hall has been writing for eight years under the pen name, Codi Gary. In the spring of 2020, Codi signed with Audible for three original audio books about a trio of siblings finding love in their little mountain town during Christmas time. A California native living in Idaho, she fell in love with big skies, amazing people, and brisk winters. When she isn't writing, you can find her watching movies with her family, making silly Tik Toks, taking gorgeous photos, and snuggling up with a good book and one of her many furbabies! Learn more at www.codigarysbooks.com

Day 19: There's Something About Merry by Codi Hall

Happy Holidays!

Today is Day 19 of my holiday reading recommendations.

There's Something About Merry by Codi Hall!

This has got to be my favorite Christmas read EVER!

This is a small town Christmas romance with loads of charm and laughs!

It's soooo good! And it's currently on sale for 99 CENTS!

Get your copy today!

About the Book

Curl up this Christmas with a fun, festive romcom featuring:

🎄Irresistible single dad hero
🎄Heartwarming second chance at love story
🎄The healing magic of the holiday season
🎄Warm nights on the family Christmas tree farm

Merry Winters is going to need a whole lot of Christmas cheer to make up for the disaster of a year she’s had. Rather than sulk, she decides to funnel all her frustrations into preparing for the most wonderful (and busiest) time of year at the Winters’ Christmas Tree Farm. Although her family isn’t ready to hand over the reins yet, Merry is determined to prove herself as manager material, and a certain flirty outdoorsman on her dating app has been giving her just the confidence to do so.

What Merry doesn’t know is that she’s been chatting anonymously with the farm’s new foreman, Clark Griffin. The single dad has kept himself out of the dating pool ever since his son’s mother left; but the more Merry dedicates herself to the farm, the more Clark falls for her generous heart and jolly spirit.

As Clark and Merry catch feelings both online and off, their romantic potential dangles in front of their noses like mistletoe. Love is within their reach, if only they’re brave enough to take the first step.

My Review

There’s Something About Merry is a beautiful, heartwarming and funny small-town Christmas romance that gives you all the feels and leaves you wanting more!

The story started a little slow for me but once I got my footing, I was immediately whisked away to Mistletoe, Idaho where an enchanting and exuberant family–aptly named The Winters–own a bustling Christmas tree farm. And on this farm there is a rugged, sexy foreman named Clark and his super cute seven-year-old son Jace.

Because of a painful past, Clark holds his emotions and feelings close to the vest keeping everyone at arm’s length, with the exception of his son and brother. But working on the farm and being accepted into the Winters’ family fold, Clark finds his smiles are less strained and more frequent, except when it comes to The Winters’ oldest daughter Merry. She’s a temptation he doesn’t want or need… or does he?

Merry has been back home at the farm healing from a bad breakup. Her dream is to take over the Christmas tree farm after her dad retires and is having a hard time trying to convince him she is serious. She’s pretty peeved her dad hired a new foreman to work the farm and doesn’t feel like her dad trusts her with the family business. I mean, yeah Clark is super handsome and once upon a time, she had a crush on him when he worked at the farm when they were teens, but he didn’t feel the same. Clark's cool demeanor towards her confirms her feelings about his disinterest… until some things start to happen and Merry isn’t so sure she’s correct in her assumptions.

I absolutely LOVED this book! Merry is wonderfully kind, quirky, so funny and has a heart of gold. I absolutely loved her! All the characters are amazing, well thought out, lovingly crafted and so easily relatable! The storyline is fun, heartwarming and everything you want in a Christmas romance. I did not want to put it down!

I laughed, loved and got a little misty-eyed with the cute and fun storyline, amazing characters and funny dialogue! The story is so sweet and so heartfelt and it gave me so much joy to read. I am an absolute fan of Codi Hall now and I cannot wait for the next book!

There is definitely Something About Merry and it’s absolutely delightful! I highly recommend this wonderful Christmas read!

FTC Disclaimer: I voluntarily read a copy of the book generously provided by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influences my thoughts or feelings about the book or the content of my review.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books

Kobo | Google Play

There's Something About Merry is currently on sale for 99 CENTS!

About the Author

Codi Hall has been writing for eight years under the pen name, Codi Gary. In the spring of 2020, Codi signed with Audible for three original audio books about a trio of siblings finding love in their little mountain town during Christmas time. A California native living in Idaho, she fell in love with big skies, amazing people, and brisk winters. When she isn't writing, you can find her watching movies with her family, making silly Tik Toks, taking gorgeous photos, and snuggling up with a good book and one of her many furbabies! Learn more at www.codigarysbooks.com

Release Day Review: 10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe by Codi Hall

Happy Release Day!

I am SO excited to share the news about Codi Hall's latest release, 10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe!

This is the first book in Codi's Falling in Mistletoe series! It's a spin-off of her Mistletoe Romance series from Sourcebooks Casablanca! 

I love these characters and I'm so happy we get more time in this fun, funny, and festive world of all things Christmas!

About the Book

A misunderstanding sparks an enemies-to-lovers romance between an outdoorsman and an aspiring writer in this funny and festive Christmas-themed novel. 

So far, no man in Mistletoe, Idaho, has measured up to the literary heroes in Delilah Gill’s favorite books. Anthony Russo is no exception. She’s not sure why the steamy smooch they once shared suddenly turned frosty, and she’s tried to keep her distance ever since. But she’s had enough of being serially single, and she decides it’s the perfect time to put herself out there.

Anthony isn’t interested in playing games and he doesn’t like being used—especially not to make his own best friend jealous. Still, a bruised ego doesn’t stop him from imagining kissing Delilah again when she shows up to the local watering hole looking like a million bucks and the other single men in town start to notice her considerable charms.

As December approaches and the Christmas festivities ramp up, both Delilah and Anthony find themselves roped into Mistletoe’s seasonal happenings. It won’t be long now before proximity turns loathing into interest and ultimately a romance that could lead to a very happy holiday indeed…

My Review

I absolutely LOVE Codi Hall’s Mistletoe Romance series. It’s a series set in the magical, mythical town of Mistletoe, Idaho and it’s centered around a boisterous family with three adult siblings: Nick, Merry and Holly. The family owns a Christmas Tree farm and in a town like Mistletoe, Christmas is the pinnacle of the year. Everyone goes all out for Christmas, and it’s not just relegated to the month of December! It is a fun, funny, and heartfelt series that I highly recommend and champion any chance I get!

10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe is the first book in a spin-off series from Mistletoe Romance called Falling in Mistletoe. The series follows three rough-around-the-edges bachelors getting their chance at falling in love. OMG! I could not love this more! 

If you enjoyed the Mistletoe Romance series, you're gonna LOVE Falling in Mistletoe! This series has everything it’s predecessor has: Loads of Christmas cheer, same great characters, loveable pets, hilarity, witty banter, funny dialogue, heartfelt storyline and all the craziness that comes with falling in love! 

Delilah is oh so relatable! She’s a bigger girl and has struggled for years with all the junk that comes along with being a different size and battling society’s standards for the “normal” or “perfect” body type. Being a bigger girl, I saw so much of myself in Delilah. But she doesn’t let the haters get to her, much. I mean hell, I’m in my forties and sometimes it still bugs me when people stare too long or snicker behind my back. Delilah takes it in stride but some of those old insecurities pop up, especially when men show interest. Are they being sincere? Is this for a joke or a laugh? Or are they doing it just to be cruel? The fight is real.

Anthony is a breath of fresh air. His roguish charm and Jake Ryan looks hide a quiet vulnerability and a genuine sweetness. In the previous series, I thought Anthony was just like his friend Pike, though fiercely loyal, he’s a rowdy womanizer chasing anything with a skirt. But I was pleasantly surprised! Anthony has his own demons to slay and his backstory squeezed my heart so hard for him! Anthony is a lovely surprise and I can’t wait for readers to find out for themselves.

The storyline is full of wonderful surprises, intense passion, and gives me so much happiness! We revisit many of our favorite Mistletoe Romance characters and I was so excited to catch up with their lives. I would love to crawl inside this world and stay there. 

10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe is a complete joy to read! It’s like coming home and being embraced by all my favorite things and people all in one giant hug! 

Pike is Anthony’s best friend and business partner and he’s on deck next! I can’t wait to discover his story and learn more about the woman who has slain this hound dog! 

I highly recommend the entire Mistletoe catalog! If you’re looking for a fun Christmas read, look no further than Codi Hall! 

FTC Disclaimer: I voluntarily read a copy of the book generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influences my thoughts or feelings about the book or the content of my review.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Audible | Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Codi Hall has been writing for eight years under the pen name, Codi Gary. In the spring of 2020, Codi signed with Audible for three original audio books about a trio of siblings finding love in their little mountain town during Christmas time. A California native living in Idaho, she fell in love with big skies, amazing people, and brisk winters. When she isn't writing, you can find her watching movies with her family, making silly Tik Toks, taking gorgeous photos, and snuggling up with a good book and one of her many furbabies! Learn more at www.codigarysbooks.com/codi-hall-author

Cover Revealed: 10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe by Codi Hall

I am SUPER excited to be sharing the cover of  Codi Hall's next book, 10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe, releasing October 1st 2024 from Podium!

10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe is the first book in Codi's Mistletoe Spinoff series, Falling in Mistletoe! Still set in the quaint fictional town of Mistletoe, Idaho where it's Christmas 24-7!

Falling in Mistletoe centers on the bachelors around town! I am so excited for all of them to get their happily ever afters, no matter how grumpy they are! 

About the Book

A misunderstanding sparks an enemies-to-lovers romance between an outdoorsman and an aspiring writer in this funny and festive Christmas-themed novel.

 

So far, no man in Mistletoe, Idaho, has measured up to the literary heroes in Delilah Gill’s favorite books. Anthony Russo is no exception. She’s not sure why the steamy smooch they once shared suddenly turned frosty, and she’s tried to keep her distance ever since. But she’s had enough of being serially single, and she decides it’s the perfect time to put herself out there.

 

Anthony isn’t interested in playing games and he doesn’t like being used—especially not to make his own best friend jealous. Still, a bruised ego doesn’t stop him from imagining kissing Delilah again when she shows up to the local watering hole looking like a million bucks and the other single men in town start to notice her considerable charms.

 

As December approaches and the Christmas festivities ramp up, both Delilah and Anthony find themselves roped into Mistletoe’s seasonal happenings. It won’t be long now before proximity turns loathing into interest and ultimately a romance that could lead to a very happy holiday indeed . . .

Pre-Order Link

https://podiumaudio.com/audio-book/10-things-i-hate-about-mistletoe/

About the Author

Codi Hall has been writing for eight years under the pen name, Codi Gary. In the spring of 2020, Codi signed with Audible for three original audio books about a trio of siblings finding love in their little mountain town during Christmas time. A California native living in Idaho, she fell in love with big skies, amazing people, and brisk winters. When she isn't writing, you can find her watching movies with her family, making silly Tik Toks, taking gorgeous photos, and snuggling up with a good book and one of her many furbabies! 

TikTok | Instagram | Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

Review: Along Came Holly (Mistletoe Romance #3) by Codi Hall!

Happy Book Birthday to Codi Hall!

I am SO in love with Codi's Mistletoe Romance series and I am so excited to have Holly and Declan's story! 

They've been enemies throughout the series but their chemistry is off the charts despite their throw-downs about Holly playing her Christmas music too loud!

It's an amazing series and I recommend reading every book! 

There's Something About Merry (Book #2) is my favorite but this book is a close second! 

I hope there are more books in the series! 

You'll absolutely fall in love with the whimsical town of Mistletoe, Idaho and all of its quirky, messy, hilarious townsfolk! I know I sure did! 

 

About the Book

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?

My Thoughts

The books in Codi Hall’s Mistletoe Romance series were first released annually as an audiobook special and then the print/eBooks were published a year afterward. Since I’m not a big audiobook person, I have been (im)patiently waiting to read Along Came Holly. And it was so worth the wait!

Along Came Holly is a perfect enemies-to-lovers story backdropped by a small-town full of Christmas cheer, literally named Mistletoe! There’s laughter, hijinks, everything Christmas and a love story so powerful, it’ll melt the iciest of hearts! 

Declan has been such a mystery and in Along Came Holly, we get to peel back his layers, seeing why he hates Christmas. It’s heartbreaking, bittersweet, and endearing. There’s so much more to Declan than his gruff disposition and his constant scowl. I just want to give him a big hug!

Holly is a firecracker and larger than life. She’s passionate about everything she does and I admire that about her. Holly is also a fierce protector of her family and those she calls her own. She’s courageous, confident and has the most wicked sense of humor! I would totally be BFFs with her because I definitely don’t want to be on the receiving end of her ire or that fiery temper she brandishes as easily as her love and loyalty. 

I absolutely LOVE this story! Holly and Declan are business neighbors and have been feuding since the beginning of the series. I love their banter and their chemistry is off the charts! It’ll take a Christmas miracle, and some help from the gang in Mistletoe to keep the peace between Holly and Declan and… help them discover that what they both needed was always right there in front of them. Each other.

This story has ALL the feels and will have you laughing, crying and falling in love right alongside Holly and Declan. I highly recommend this and every book in the Mistletoe Romance series! It’s got everything you need: Christmas, small-town, family, fun, crocheted peens, loveable pets, a Christmas tree farm and so much more! 

FTC Disclaimer: I voluntarily read a copy of the book generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. This in no way influences my thoughts or feelings about the book.

About the Author