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Ivy Springs #1
Second Chance at Christmas Inn: A Sweet Small Town Romance
Two Broken Hearts
An Inherited Christmas Inn
And a Grandmother Determined to Bring Them Together
“A Hallmark Christmas movie style, second chance romance” -Amazon Reviewer
Holly Graham is not interested in celebrating Christmas. In fact, she’s renounced the holiday and all the cheer that comes with it. So returning her grandmother’s Christmas Inn was not something she wanted to do. Until she found out that in order to sell the inn, she needed to spend one last Christmas there. Stephen Jones has two goals this holiday run Christmas Inn for one last holiday season and take care of his sister and nephew. Helping the girl he once loved sell the only place he’s ever called home was not in his job description. Especially when she’s acting like she’s forgotten everything she once loved about the inn and maybe...him. Holly is persistent to sell even when Stephen refuses to respect her wishes. Or his adorable nephew pulls at her heart strings. Add the mysterious notes from her grandmother, and Holly’s frozen heart begins to melt. Does the magic of Christmas Inn hold enough power to bring these two wandering souls together?
An Inherited Christmas Inn
And a Grandmother Determined to Bring Them Together
“A Hallmark Christmas movie style, second chance romance” -Amazon Reviewer
Holly Graham is not interested in celebrating Christmas. In fact, she’s renounced the holiday and all the cheer that comes with it. So returning her grandmother’s Christmas Inn was not something she wanted to do. Until she found out that in order to sell the inn, she needed to spend one last Christmas there. Stephen Jones has two goals this holiday run Christmas Inn for one last holiday season and take care of his sister and nephew. Helping the girl he once loved sell the only place he’s ever called home was not in his job description. Especially when she’s acting like she’s forgotten everything she once loved about the inn and maybe...him. Holly is persistent to sell even when Stephen refuses to respect her wishes. Or his adorable nephew pulls at her heart strings. Add the mysterious notes from her grandmother, and Holly’s frozen heart begins to melt. Does the magic of Christmas Inn hold enough power to bring these two wandering souls together?
206 pages, Hardcover
Published December 28, 2022
1149 people are currently reading
1886 people want to read
About the author
Anne-Marie Meyer
102 books3,591 followersAnne-Marie Meyer is a USA Today Bestselling author who lives south of the Twin Cities in MN. She spends her days with her knight in shining armor, four princes, and a baby princess.
When she's not running after her kids, she's dreaming up romantic stories. She loves to take her favorite moments in the books and movies she loves and tries to figure out a way to make them new and fresh.
Join her newsletter at anne-mariemeyer.com
When she's not running after her kids, she's dreaming up romantic stories. She loves to take her favorite moments in the books and movies she loves and tries to figure out a way to make them new and fresh.
Join her newsletter at anne-mariemeyer.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
December 5, 2019
Calling all Hallmark movie lovers! This new Christmas story by Anne-Marie Meyer is a must read. It has it all; a mistake from the past, second chance, redemption, forgiveness, meddling family member, super sweet scenes, lots of Christmas cheer, some silly and cheesy lines (that were adorable), remembering love, cute meet moments, adorable little kid, sleigh ride, family and love (sorry if that's a repeat but it's a requisite to have it multiple times in a Hallmark show/type book).
I've been reading lots and lots of sweet Christmas stories lately and haven't been disappointed by any of them. This one had me grinning and giggling, sighing and crying (maybe just a few little tears). Happy sighs and lots of cheering for Hope, who is Holly's grandma, and her antics and tries to reconcile with Holly and help her reconcile her past as well.
Stephen was so great from the beginning. I couldn't help but cheer for him as he tried to show Holly all that she was missing and to help her have healing and peace. Loved him!
Holly, she was a little complicated. But I could feel her pain. The author did a great job of showing her pain and reasoning behind the why's of her character. But once she finally was back around the love of family and friends, she was able to see for herself and remember and heal.
The ending was super sweet and touching. Hence the maybe a few little tears...just saying. And I can't wait for the next book, it's gonna be great!
Content: Clean and sweet.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
I've been reading lots and lots of sweet Christmas stories lately and haven't been disappointed by any of them. This one had me grinning and giggling, sighing and crying (maybe just a few little tears). Happy sighs and lots of cheering for Hope, who is Holly's grandma, and her antics and tries to reconcile with Holly and help her reconcile her past as well.
Stephen was so great from the beginning. I couldn't help but cheer for him as he tried to show Holly all that she was missing and to help her have healing and peace. Loved him!
Holly, she was a little complicated. But I could feel her pain. The author did a great job of showing her pain and reasoning behind the why's of her character. But once she finally was back around the love of family and friends, she was able to see for herself and remember and heal.
The ending was super sweet and touching. Hence the maybe a few little tears...just saying. And I can't wait for the next book, it's gonna be great!
Content: Clean and sweet.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
December 8, 2024
You like hallmark Christmas movies? You’ll eat this sh*t right up lol it was cute. Super cheesy and alllllllllll the Christmas vibes. ❤️
December 22, 2019
***2.5 Star Review***
I have to be honest and say that this book left me feeling unsettled. It was difficult to get into because we really received very little if any background on the mother-grandmother-heroine-hero-hero's sister-The Inn-the falling out with the town against the heroine-why a man so in love didn't go after the woman he adored when she left and why she left without an explanation to her true love (but of course through his actions he took sides with the grandmother against the heroine without facts. I knew that she felt he had sided with the grandmother and she felt abandoned and I did get that. When you feel the love of your life doesn't have your back and sides against you what's a girl to think. But think she did not. All she did was run away throughout the whole book if not in body in mind. The hero who had to be in his late twenties to early thirties (I arrived at this since the heroine was eighteen when she left home and was gone for ten years) acted like an immature school boy set on punishing the heroine because she let him and the town down when she left ten years before...when he didn't have the facts. So I guess this town solely depended on an eighteen year old young woman. What pressure. I would have left, too.
For me, there was very little to nothing to hold on to until we got details which didn't surface until near the end.
So as I traveled through the story I needed more background than it began with to carry me through, something to hold on to, look forward to. Most of this we don't begin to see until 80% when the heroine finally reads the letters her Grandmother left behind for her which the truths were revealed. It was also a bit bewildering. This bewildering was quite apparent in the epilogue when I was ready to celebrate with the newly reunited love birds but instead had to hear the hero's physically disable sister (who was driving drunk and has no use of her legs) moan, groan and whine 'Woe is me...no one will ever want a girl in a wheelchair that is a single mother. Poor me. I have ruined my life.' I guess we were being prepared for the next book in the series and I felt there was a need to close out the present story. Overall I was disappointed and I wouldn't read this again!
I have to be honest and say that this book left me feeling unsettled. It was difficult to get into because we really received very little if any background on the mother-grandmother-heroine-hero-hero's sister-The Inn-the falling out with the town against the heroine-why a man so in love didn't go after the woman he adored when she left and why she left without an explanation to her true love (but of course through his actions he took sides with the grandmother against the heroine without facts. I knew that she felt he had sided with the grandmother and she felt abandoned and I did get that. When you feel the love of your life doesn't have your back and sides against you what's a girl to think. But think she did not. All she did was run away throughout the whole book if not in body in mind. The hero who had to be in his late twenties to early thirties (I arrived at this since the heroine was eighteen when she left home and was gone for ten years) acted like an immature school boy set on punishing the heroine because she let him and the town down when she left ten years before...when he didn't have the facts. So I guess this town solely depended on an eighteen year old young woman. What pressure. I would have left, too.
For me, there was very little to nothing to hold on to until we got details which didn't surface until near the end.
So as I traveled through the story I needed more background than it began with to carry me through, something to hold on to, look forward to. Most of this we don't begin to see until 80% when the heroine finally reads the letters her Grandmother left behind for her which the truths were revealed. It was also a bit bewildering. This bewildering was quite apparent in the epilogue when I was ready to celebrate with the newly reunited love birds but instead had to hear the hero's physically disable sister (who was driving drunk and has no use of her legs) moan, groan and whine 'Woe is me...no one will ever want a girl in a wheelchair that is a single mother. Poor me. I have ruined my life.' I guess we were being prepared for the next book in the series and I felt there was a need to close out the present story. Overall I was disappointed and I wouldn't read this again!
December 21, 2024
Cute stubborn girl Christmas romance.
November 24, 2019
This second chance at love story definitely reads like a Christmas Hallmark movie.
January 2, 2023
Second Chance Mistletoe Kisses
A common theme of single parents, with irresponsible exes. A mum down on her luck, pretty destitute, a negligent ex-husband, a story retold a million times.
Even the most accelerated of children at five, does not possess such perfect diction:
“This one? You know this one was in the back for a reason. It’s dead. Headed to the chipper tonight.”
Macie’s eyes widened. “That’s why I want it. It needs to live out its Christmas destiny. I don’t want it to be lonely.”
Quinn and Collin dated, but his father disapproved, she wasn’t girlfriend material. His father referred to her as a tramp, a white trash nobody who was going to bring him down; threatening his inheritance—the money he was using for school—if he didn’t end their relationship. So he cowardly broke it off intending to return after he no longer needed his father’s money to resume their relationship as though nothing had happened. She was then married to Ryan.
He left, never returning. The town holding too many bitter memories and regret.
“I know what I need to do.”
“I doubt that,” Ada said with a snort.
“What?”
“You run away, Collin. Always. That’s why you left in the first place. You tell yourself it’s because of your father, that you’ll come back and get Quinn later. You were relieved when you found her married to another man. She wouldn’t hurt you. Not if you kept your distance.”
He should never have allowed his father to say the things he did or allowed him to make the choice for him.
Ryan her ex shows up. He’s been dumped and wants to make another go at being a family.
Then his ex, Daisy, announces she’s pregnant.
Macie loves her father and promoting a broken relationship between the two of them did more harm than good. After all, isn’t that what Mr. Stewart did to Collin forcing his son to choose? She wasn’t going to do that to Macie. No one wants to be second choice.
Macie’s young now, but at some point, she’ll stop forgiving Ryan.
That’s the beauty of a new year. People can change.
Quinn, after years of betrayal, rejection and abandonment at the hands of both Collin and then Ryan, she’s learnt the art of self-preservation.
Years hadn’t diminished their feelings. He loved her more than he did the day he’d left. She was different. He was different. It was as if their pasts had led them to this moment.
Unfinished sentences noted.
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Second Chance With the Billionaire
Hannah hasn’t been home in seven years after everything imploded on prom night. It was the night that the two most important people in her life betrayed her.
As a child, she invited someone to live with them, even though her mother was skeptical. Georgia was not who she said she was. She had burst into the house in tears because Logan had disappeared after their kiss. She’d searched everywhere at prom for him to find out he’d abandoned her. Hannah wanted her mum to reassure her, instead, the police were at their house. Georgia having taken all of her mother’s jewelry and heirlooms. She spent the night getting interrogated by her mum about Georgia. She’d gone to bed that night with a broken heart.
Three years ago, his father entered his life after being MIA since Logan was born. He had terminal cancer and wanted to make amends. He sold his multi-billion-dollar tech company a year ago and set up a trust for him. Logan, has always yearned to know his real father.
His dad had given him permission to do what he thought was best with the money. But all Logan wanted to do was pretend that it wasn’t there. Just take small amounts out so he could spend time with his daughter and quit all the odd jobs he’d had to pick up in the past to survive.
Instead his mother broadcasts his wealth to the town criers, pressuring him into spending it.
Secrets, he ran out on her prom night. How could he go back onto the dance floor after they’d kissed and tell Hannah that he’d gotten Charity pregnant? He had no idea that she’d pack up and leave the next day, never to be seen again. If he could go back in time, he would have handled things differently. He would have been honest. But now, the result of his deception was more deception.
He’s been ardently trying to reconnect with Hannah, his deception knows no bounds as his ex materialises and wants to try again. Hannah finally discovers that Piper is his daughter with Charity, whom he admits he found out about on prom night.
He deserted her that night because he’d just found out about the pregnancy and that she’d been taken to the hospital because of bleeding.
Every fiber of his being wanted him to kiss her. To wrap her up in his arms and love her like a man loves a woman. “Hannah, I—”
“I’m going to go find Samson. I suggest you find Charity.”
She had always been the one. As much as he wanted to deny it to protect his heart, he couldn’t, he loved her. (Then why did he get Charity pregnant)?
Two mismatched couples, Charity is materialistic and not in the least maternal, she only returned to grasp Logan’s money and Samson’s a manipulative snake, he doesn’t want children thinking only in terms of his own personal needs.
“Hannah doesn’t know what she wants. Once we’re married, she’ll start seeing things my way.”
Charity apparently cheated on Logan with one of his coworkers, she then emptied their bank account and vanished. It took him the better part of a year to track her down so he could get her to sign the divorce papers. By then, she’d already spent everything and would only sign the papers if he paid her. She cares nothing for Piper. Never asked for custody. Voluntarily gave him custody in exchange for money. She’s always promising to come get Piper, but then never shows up.
Unmitigated drama. I wanted to reach out and strangle the characters.
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
Second Chance at Christmas Inn
Two Broken Hearts. An Inherited Christmas Inn. And a Grandmother Determined to Bring Them
Holly has returned to the Christmas Inn, a condition of her late grandmother’s estate.
Stephen operates the Inn, it’s his livelihood and Holly’s there to destroy his hopes, to get the property appraised and listed. She was also there to resolve her differences.
She has the life she’d always thought she wanted in New York, an active social life and a somewhat blossoming career. It was what she’d left Ivy Springs in search of, but she was finding it harder to convince herself that she was actually happy.
Unable to wrap her head around how she felt about Stephen, she couldn’t fathom his reasons for being stuck in a small town as the caretaker of Christmas Inn. It really didn’t speak to the adventurous boy she remembered. He’d always wanted to leave and make something of himself. And yet, here he was, stuck in the one place they’d both dreamed of leaving.
After she left, her grandmother, Hope was emotionally distraught. He didn’t think she could handle losing him as well, so he remained for a time, as he was ready to leave with a full-ride scholarship to college (he planned to study engineering), his sister Blossom got into a car accident, she was drunk and hit a tree, leaving her in a wheelchair.
Her departure from Ivy Springs left a giant hole and mass destruction.
She hadn’t imagined that her breaking things off with him and leaving Ivy Springs would result in his being left behind, picking up the pieces that she’d left in her wake.
She’d tried calling him from the bar to see if he could come pick her up. But he didn’t answer, he was studying. Hope allowed Blossom and Isaac live with him at the inn. She gave Blossom a job, it took months, but finally Blossom came out of her depression accepting the loss of her legs, that she was never going to walk again and that her life had been forever changed. He never left because there were people depending on him.
The feelings she’d always had for Stephen had never really left. Ignoring her past was far easier than facing it.
Stephen wore his heart on his sleeve, and honestly, Holly was unworthy of his devotion-never considering the lives reliant on the Inn for their livelihood.
How many more times will she reject him?
She’d reacted awfully to a situation consumed by anger and resentment. She’d lived selfishly, in debt, selfish and unhappy. Cutting people out of her life.
People heal differently, her journey involved burying her head in the sand and dwelling on the past.
The end seemed rushed and tied up in a bow. The epilogue shared insight into Blossom’s feelings.
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
Christmasland: Welcome to Christmasland A Town Where All Your Christmas Dreams Come True When he’s the Grinchy, heart broken hero who hates Christmas but, when he finds out that I grew up in foster care and has never had a traditional Christmas experience? He’s suddenly making hot chocolate and planning horse drawn slay rides in the snow.
If Hallmark and Lifetime movies thrill you…this is for you.
A common theme of single parents, with irresponsible exes. A mum down on her luck, pretty destitute, a negligent ex-husband, a story retold a million times.
Even the most accelerated of children at five, does not possess such perfect diction:
“This one? You know this one was in the back for a reason. It’s dead. Headed to the chipper tonight.”
Macie’s eyes widened. “That’s why I want it. It needs to live out its Christmas destiny. I don’t want it to be lonely.”
Quinn and Collin dated, but his father disapproved, she wasn’t girlfriend material. His father referred to her as a tramp, a white trash nobody who was going to bring him down; threatening his inheritance—the money he was using for school—if he didn’t end their relationship. So he cowardly broke it off intending to return after he no longer needed his father’s money to resume their relationship as though nothing had happened. She was then married to Ryan.
He left, never returning. The town holding too many bitter memories and regret.
“I know what I need to do.”
“I doubt that,” Ada said with a snort.
“What?”
“You run away, Collin. Always. That’s why you left in the first place. You tell yourself it’s because of your father, that you’ll come back and get Quinn later. You were relieved when you found her married to another man. She wouldn’t hurt you. Not if you kept your distance.”
He should never have allowed his father to say the things he did or allowed him to make the choice for him.
Ryan her ex shows up. He’s been dumped and wants to make another go at being a family.
Then his ex, Daisy, announces she’s pregnant.
Macie loves her father and promoting a broken relationship between the two of them did more harm than good. After all, isn’t that what Mr. Stewart did to Collin forcing his son to choose? She wasn’t going to do that to Macie. No one wants to be second choice.
Macie’s young now, but at some point, she’ll stop forgiving Ryan.
That’s the beauty of a new year. People can change.
Quinn, after years of betrayal, rejection and abandonment at the hands of both Collin and then Ryan, she’s learnt the art of self-preservation.
Years hadn’t diminished their feelings. He loved her more than he did the day he’d left. She was different. He was different. It was as if their pasts had led them to this moment.
Unfinished sentences noted.
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
Second Chance With the Billionaire
Hannah hasn’t been home in seven years after everything imploded on prom night. It was the night that the two most important people in her life betrayed her.
As a child, she invited someone to live with them, even though her mother was skeptical. Georgia was not who she said she was. She had burst into the house in tears because Logan had disappeared after their kiss. She’d searched everywhere at prom for him to find out he’d abandoned her. Hannah wanted her mum to reassure her, instead, the police were at their house. Georgia having taken all of her mother’s jewelry and heirlooms. She spent the night getting interrogated by her mum about Georgia. She’d gone to bed that night with a broken heart.
Three years ago, his father entered his life after being MIA since Logan was born. He had terminal cancer and wanted to make amends. He sold his multi-billion-dollar tech company a year ago and set up a trust for him. Logan, has always yearned to know his real father.
His dad had given him permission to do what he thought was best with the money. But all Logan wanted to do was pretend that it wasn’t there. Just take small amounts out so he could spend time with his daughter and quit all the odd jobs he’d had to pick up in the past to survive.
Instead his mother broadcasts his wealth to the town criers, pressuring him into spending it.
Secrets, he ran out on her prom night. How could he go back onto the dance floor after they’d kissed and tell Hannah that he’d gotten Charity pregnant? He had no idea that she’d pack up and leave the next day, never to be seen again. If he could go back in time, he would have handled things differently. He would have been honest. But now, the result of his deception was more deception.
He’s been ardently trying to reconnect with Hannah, his deception knows no bounds as his ex materialises and wants to try again. Hannah finally discovers that Piper is his daughter with Charity, whom he admits he found out about on prom night.
He deserted her that night because he’d just found out about the pregnancy and that she’d been taken to the hospital because of bleeding.
Every fiber of his being wanted him to kiss her. To wrap her up in his arms and love her like a man loves a woman. “Hannah, I—”
“I’m going to go find Samson. I suggest you find Charity.”
She had always been the one. As much as he wanted to deny it to protect his heart, he couldn’t, he loved her. (Then why did he get Charity pregnant)?
Two mismatched couples, Charity is materialistic and not in the least maternal, she only returned to grasp Logan’s money and Samson’s a manipulative snake, he doesn’t want children thinking only in terms of his own personal needs.
“Hannah doesn’t know what she wants. Once we’re married, she’ll start seeing things my way.”
Charity apparently cheated on Logan with one of his coworkers, she then emptied their bank account and vanished. It took him the better part of a year to track her down so he could get her to sign the divorce papers. By then, she’d already spent everything and would only sign the papers if he paid her. She cares nothing for Piper. Never asked for custody. Voluntarily gave him custody in exchange for money. She’s always promising to come get Piper, but then never shows up.
Unmitigated drama. I wanted to reach out and strangle the characters.
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
Second Chance at Christmas Inn
Two Broken Hearts. An Inherited Christmas Inn. And a Grandmother Determined to Bring Them
Holly has returned to the Christmas Inn, a condition of her late grandmother’s estate.
Stephen operates the Inn, it’s his livelihood and Holly’s there to destroy his hopes, to get the property appraised and listed. She was also there to resolve her differences.
She has the life she’d always thought she wanted in New York, an active social life and a somewhat blossoming career. It was what she’d left Ivy Springs in search of, but she was finding it harder to convince herself that she was actually happy.
Unable to wrap her head around how she felt about Stephen, she couldn’t fathom his reasons for being stuck in a small town as the caretaker of Christmas Inn. It really didn’t speak to the adventurous boy she remembered. He’d always wanted to leave and make something of himself. And yet, here he was, stuck in the one place they’d both dreamed of leaving.
After she left, her grandmother, Hope was emotionally distraught. He didn’t think she could handle losing him as well, so he remained for a time, as he was ready to leave with a full-ride scholarship to college (he planned to study engineering), his sister Blossom got into a car accident, she was drunk and hit a tree, leaving her in a wheelchair.
Her departure from Ivy Springs left a giant hole and mass destruction.
She hadn’t imagined that her breaking things off with him and leaving Ivy Springs would result in his being left behind, picking up the pieces that she’d left in her wake.
She’d tried calling him from the bar to see if he could come pick her up. But he didn’t answer, he was studying. Hope allowed Blossom and Isaac live with him at the inn. She gave Blossom a job, it took months, but finally Blossom came out of her depression accepting the loss of her legs, that she was never going to walk again and that her life had been forever changed. He never left because there were people depending on him.
The feelings she’d always had for Stephen had never really left. Ignoring her past was far easier than facing it.
Stephen wore his heart on his sleeve, and honestly, Holly was unworthy of his devotion-never considering the lives reliant on the Inn for their livelihood.
How many more times will she reject him?
She’d reacted awfully to a situation consumed by anger and resentment. She’d lived selfishly, in debt, selfish and unhappy. Cutting people out of her life.
People heal differently, her journey involved burying her head in the sand and dwelling on the past.
The end seemed rushed and tied up in a bow. The epilogue shared insight into Blossom’s feelings.
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
Christmasland: Welcome to Christmasland A Town Where All Your Christmas Dreams Come True When he’s the Grinchy, heart broken hero who hates Christmas but, when he finds out that I grew up in foster care and has never had a traditional Christmas experience? He’s suddenly making hot chocolate and planning horse drawn slay rides in the snow.
If Hallmark and Lifetime movies thrill you…this is for you.
December 27, 2019
Pros -- Sweet and clean - no profanity and no sexual content. A big plus!
Cons -- what I would call "the ping pong effect". Back and forth, back and forth with "I can't allow HIM to know how much I love him -- I can't let HER know how much I love her -- I can't allow MYSELF to have these feelings about how much I truly love her/him, etc. Romance isn't really my genre to begin with, so maybe that is why I found this activity rather wearying.
Cons -- what I would call "the ping pong effect". Back and forth, back and forth with "I can't allow HIM to know how much I love him -- I can't let HER know how much I love her -- I can't allow MYSELF to have these feelings about how much I truly love her/him, etc. Romance isn't really my genre to begin with, so maybe that is why I found this activity rather wearying.
December 11, 2024
3/5⭐️
This was a cute Christmas themed second chance romance! It felt like I was reading a Hallmark movie and the end was a bit too cheesy for me if I’m being honest 😆 I found myself eager for the book to end though at about the 70% mark, as I was starting to get a little bored because things were feeling a bit repetitive…. BUT that could just be a ‘me’ problem. I definitely recommend reading if you’re in the mood for a Hallmark themed second chance romance with some moments Christmas sprinkled throughout.
This was a cute Christmas themed second chance romance! It felt like I was reading a Hallmark movie and the end was a bit too cheesy for me if I’m being honest 😆 I found myself eager for the book to end though at about the 70% mark, as I was starting to get a little bored because things were feeling a bit repetitive…. BUT that could just be a ‘me’ problem. I definitely recommend reading if you’re in the mood for a Hallmark themed second chance romance with some moments Christmas sprinkled throughout.
December 12, 2024
Cute little holiday romance!!!
December 20, 2024
Basic Christmas romance but with a reuniting of mom and daughter! It was good!!
November 27, 2019
What a beautiful, Christmas story that takes place at the Christmas Inn in Massachusetts. I enjoyed the story being told from both Holly and Stephen's point of view which really added to the book. This story about Holly, her grandmother, Stephen, the Christmas Inn, and Holly's mom was like carefully opening a large Christmas present because you were not sure what you would find under the layers of tissue paper as you peeled the tissue back. Holly needed that to help her heart realize what it already knew. I am so glad there are more books in this series because this one with its wonderful characters was a lot of fun to read. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
January 9, 2020
It may have been predictable, but I still enjoyed it! Reminded me of a Hallmark Christmas movie!
November 28, 2019
Maybe I've been watching too much Hallmark lately, but this story fit right in. A beautiful second chance romance in a magical Christmas setting with ghosts of the past knocking on the door. Holly is kind of lost and has a lot to figure out and Stephen just wants to love her. A sweet story and great lead in to the next book. I'm excited.
November 24, 2019
First, I have to say that the Braxton brothers were my favorite books by Anne-Marie Meyer, but now Second Chance at Christmas Inn is my favorite. Holly left Ivy Springs when she was eighteen and left Stephen and her grandmother with broken hearts. She doesn’t return until she’s forced to or else she’ll lose her inheritance of the Christmas Inn. I’m not going to leave any spoilers, but I loved all of these characters. Isaac is just adorable. If you enjoy small towns, second chance romances, and/or Christmas books, then you will enjoy this book.
October 22, 2020
Second Chance at Christmas Inn is a sweet, Hallmark Christmas movie style, second chance romance romance. Both Holly and Stephen are broken. They are not able to move on from that awful day when Holly left. This well written, heart felt tale occurs during the week before Christmas when Holly has to stay at the inn in order to inherit. You will have to read the book to discover how Holly and Stephen heal, grow and find their HEA.
January 5, 2020
I have questions!
I want to know what the big conflict was that made Holly’s mom leave! I want to know what conflict caused Holly to leave Ivy Springs! Authors shouldn’t build up things like this and then not resolve them.
And I did get sick of reading “Holly pinched her lips...” and “Stephen cleared his throat...”
It definitely was not a bad story, almost Hallmark movie-like, except for the lack of a conflict resolution. 2.5 stars
I want to know what the big conflict was that made Holly’s mom leave! I want to know what conflict caused Holly to leave Ivy Springs! Authors shouldn’t build up things like this and then not resolve them.
And I did get sick of reading “Holly pinched her lips...” and “Stephen cleared his throat...”
It definitely was not a bad story, almost Hallmark movie-like, except for the lack of a conflict resolution. 2.5 stars
January 4, 2020
Christmas Inn
Was disappointed that Holly did not get to solve the issue with her grandmother before she died. A bit unrealistic because if mother and daughter reconciled then I would think they would have come to Holley together. The epilogue made me want to re ad the next book in the series.
Was disappointed that Holly did not get to solve the issue with her grandmother before she died. A bit unrealistic because if mother and daughter reconciled then I would think they would have come to Holley together. The epilogue made me want to re ad the next book in the series.
November 21, 2023
This was a cute romance book along the lines of any Christmas/holiday Hallmark or Lifetime movie you may watch. Holly inherits the Christmas Inn when her grandmother dies. The relationship between the two of them was strained, forcing Holly to move away. In the process, she leaves her boyfriend Stephen behind. When she returns after the reading of the will, she plans to sell the Inn, not realizing that Stephen still works there and supports his wheelchair-bound sister Blossom and his young nephew Isaac. Feelings are immediately denied and fought on both sides. Eventually one of them comes to their senses.
While the granddaughter-grandmother relationship was hinted as being strained, there was little backstory except for the letters Holly's grandmother left her, which took her a ridiculously long time to read. I think the author meant this to be a major mystery, but I would have preferred to have the letters read closer to the beginning rather than towards the end. And the current boyfriend, Tyler, seemed to be a bit of a jerk, not really exploring that relationship at all beyond mentioning he was a doctor working for Doctors Without Borders.
The epilogue of the book centered on Blossom, making it a segue into what I assume is the second book in the series. Unfortunately, I wasn't that invested in her story to begin with. However, I'm sure it will be much the same; she'll find someone who accepts her disability, but she'll push him away until she begins to see how he interacts with Isaac. I can skip book #2.
While the granddaughter-grandmother relationship was hinted as being strained, there was little backstory except for the letters Holly's grandmother left her, which took her a ridiculously long time to read. I think the author meant this to be a major mystery, but I would have preferred to have the letters read closer to the beginning rather than towards the end. And the current boyfriend, Tyler, seemed to be a bit of a jerk, not really exploring that relationship at all beyond mentioning he was a doctor working for Doctors Without Borders.
The epilogue of the book centered on Blossom, making it a segue into what I assume is the second book in the series. Unfortunately, I wasn't that invested in her story to begin with. However, I'm sure it will be much the same; she'll find someone who accepts her disability, but she'll push him away until she begins to see how he interacts with Isaac. I can skip book #2.
December 6, 2019
I received a complimentary copy of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
This was a story that is about a young lady returning home to Christmas Inn to fulfill her deceased grandmother's condition in her will. In order to sell the inn, Holly Graham will have to spend a week there before she can sell it. Holly despises Christmas since she found out her grandmother forced her mother to abandon her. After building a life in New York, Holly doesn't want to return but she could use the money that the inn would bring. Stephen Jones' heart was broken when Holly fled. He waited for her to return over the years but she never did. Now that she is returning, he doesn't want his heart broken again, especially since she is selling the one place that is home for him.
The road to a HEA for these two, is a complicated one. Being someone that has never been in Holly's situation, I had a hard time understanding her. It was a good thing, that the book was written in a dual POV format. Stephen on the other hand was the perfect male protagonist that you just cheer for.
This is a sweet, clean second chance romance that all ages could read.
This was a story that is about a young lady returning home to Christmas Inn to fulfill her deceased grandmother's condition in her will. In order to sell the inn, Holly Graham will have to spend a week there before she can sell it. Holly despises Christmas since she found out her grandmother forced her mother to abandon her. After building a life in New York, Holly doesn't want to return but she could use the money that the inn would bring. Stephen Jones' heart was broken when Holly fled. He waited for her to return over the years but she never did. Now that she is returning, he doesn't want his heart broken again, especially since she is selling the one place that is home for him.
The road to a HEA for these two, is a complicated one. Being someone that has never been in Holly's situation, I had a hard time understanding her. It was a good thing, that the book was written in a dual POV format. Stephen on the other hand was the perfect male protagonist that you just cheer for.
This is a sweet, clean second chance romance that all ages could read.
December 28, 2019
Easy Chick- Lit
Sweet little romance which focuses first on the pain and hurt a young woman has felt and kept inside her for ten years. Ten years of placing blame where blame should not be placed. One week to undo and understand the pain and hurt of ten years.
It is a hard thing forgetting and forgiving past hurts and Holly’s grandmother, Hope, knew how to maneuver things to make it work. A stipulation in her will require her granddaughter to spend an entire week at Christmas Inn before she technically inherited it or could sell it. Th pain bottled up inside Holly had her immediately wanting to sell the inn and move on with her life.
Of course, Holly had the almost-perfect life....the NYC job and young on-the-way to being successful doctor boyfriend. But we all know from the title, love will find me a new way to win over our main characters.
Obviously a series as the epilogue leads us to know about who, the next book will focus.
Good book if you need a quick easy book....no real thinking here so good for if you have read “ heavier” books.
Sweet little romance which focuses first on the pain and hurt a young woman has felt and kept inside her for ten years. Ten years of placing blame where blame should not be placed. One week to undo and understand the pain and hurt of ten years.
It is a hard thing forgetting and forgiving past hurts and Holly’s grandmother, Hope, knew how to maneuver things to make it work. A stipulation in her will require her granddaughter to spend an entire week at Christmas Inn before she technically inherited it or could sell it. Th pain bottled up inside Holly had her immediately wanting to sell the inn and move on with her life.
Of course, Holly had the almost-perfect life....the NYC job and young on-the-way to being successful doctor boyfriend. But we all know from the title, love will find me a new way to win over our main characters.
Obviously a series as the epilogue leads us to know about who, the next book will focus.
Good book if you need a quick easy book....no real thinking here so good for if you have read “ heavier” books.
December 6, 2019
This story was sweet, clean and wonderful. Stephen and Holly had been together until at 18, Holly left their small town because of what she saw as a betrayal by her grandmother. In the process, she left Stephen, too, both brokenhearted. Now, she has returned after her grandmother's will left the Christmas Inn to her and she had to stay in the inn for a week before she could sell it. When she returned to the inn that had such wonderful childhood memories, she was reminded of them and how important these people were in her life. Her "perfect" life in New York didn't seem so perfect anymore. Could she possibly leave the big city to settle for a happy ever after? Was it too late for Holly and Stephen to mend fences and see how much they still loved each other? I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
October 14, 2024
Holly not only ignores Christmas, she hates it. It’s been years since she left her hometown, cutting herself off from her grandmother because of a painful betrayal. Now, the grandmother has left her the Christmas Inn, but to inherit it, Holly must spend Christmas week at the inn, something she is loathe to do. To make matters worse, she must spend that week in close contact with Stephen, a former boyfriend who now manages the inn. Holly wants to sell the inn, but Stephen is desperate to have her keep it: it is his home as well as home to his disabled sister and her son. This lovely tale is one of second chances, for both Holly and Stephen. Stephen knows what he wants, but Holly must work through the past to find her future. Well written with likable characters, this story will charm you and fill you with the Christmas spirit.
December 27, 2019
Part of a series, this book still stands well on its own. The premise which brings the two main characters together is interesting; Holly's estranged grandmother, recently deceased, has insisted in her will that Holly will only inherit Christmas Inn after Holly spends a week there. The Inn is now run by her former boyfriend Stephen. They have a very uncomfortable relationship that is complicated by the sparks that continue to fly between them. Holly wants to sell the Inn and go back to her New York life, while Stephen wants her to recapture the memories of growing up at the Inn that she has buried. He feels that is his one chance to save the Inn. The writing is a bit overwrought, with lots of pinched lips and pounding hearts. A fairly typical romance.
February 11, 2020
Ms. Meyer has created a delicious dilemma for the heroine and hero in this second chance love story. Their goals are opposite, yet they're stuck at the inn through the holidays, plus there's all that history they need to work through. Surviving the holidays intact is all their hearts can hope for.
It's a wonderful journey reading how Holly and Stephen will work through their emotional hangups beyond each other and ultimately make the decisions that will effect their futures.
Kudos to grandmother for knowing what circumstances needed to happen to bring joy to all of their hearts.
I hope we get a story about Stephen's sister. I'd like to see her fall in love and the incredible man who would win her heart.
An snuggle-up-with-a-blanket-and-hot-cocoa kind of read.
It's a wonderful journey reading how Holly and Stephen will work through their emotional hangups beyond each other and ultimately make the decisions that will effect their futures.
Kudos to grandmother for knowing what circumstances needed to happen to bring joy to all of their hearts.
I hope we get a story about Stephen's sister. I'd like to see her fall in love and the incredible man who would win her heart.
An snuggle-up-with-a-blanket-and-hot-cocoa kind of read.
November 18, 2023
Holly and Stephen are so sweet. Forgiveness truly is Divine. We like to say that unforgiveness and bitterness only hurt the person unable to, or unwilling to, forgive. But the truth is that bitterness feeds into the lives of those we and those who love us. I love that Holly finally sees Truth. It's too late for her relationship with her grandmother, but not for everyone else in her life.
Btw: Anne-Marie, there are a handful of errors in this one.
I purchased this book and others as part of a Christmas bundle special direct from the author. Unfortunately, doing so means that the Kindle books don't automatically connect with Goodreads or Instagram like books purchased through Amazon do. It's incredibly frustrating. But the bundle deal was too good to pass up.
Btw: Anne-Marie, there are a handful of errors in this one.
I purchased this book and others as part of a Christmas bundle special direct from the author. Unfortunately, doing so means that the Kindle books don't automatically connect with Goodreads or Instagram like books purchased through Amazon do. It's incredibly frustrating. But the bundle deal was too good to pass up.
February 5, 2026
Yes, I agree, very Hallmarkie. This was a cute second chance romance, and I loved the idea of Stephen trying to remind Holly of why she loved Christmas and the Christmas Inn. Stephen's nephew was there for many fun and sweet moments. He was an utter delight! The ending felt a bit abrupt, but it was leading up to the next book, so it made sense.
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December 24, 2019
Sweet Christmas second chance romance
Holly and Stephen both are dealing with strong emotions when Holly comes back to Christmas Inn for the first time in years. Holly had a falling out with her Grandmother and left Christmas Inn several years before. When she left abruptly she also left Stephen, her boyfriend. Now she is back at Christmas Inn after the death of her Grandmother. Seeing each other is a bit of a shock and unearths unresolved emotions. Plus Holly has a boyfriend. This is a sweet story that delves into finding forgiveness and hope for the future.
Holly and Stephen both are dealing with strong emotions when Holly comes back to Christmas Inn for the first time in years. Holly had a falling out with her Grandmother and left Christmas Inn several years before. When she left abruptly she also left Stephen, her boyfriend. Now she is back at Christmas Inn after the death of her Grandmother. Seeing each other is a bit of a shock and unearths unresolved emotions. Plus Holly has a boyfriend. This is a sweet story that delves into finding forgiveness and hope for the future.
May 27, 2020
This was a great holiday romance. The story pulled me in from the beginning. I enjoyed watching how Stephen and Holly cope with the requirements that Holly's grandmother has placed on selling the inn. Stephen and Holly had a relationship long ago and they have to navigate their old feelings and their new feelings that blossom during Holly's stay at the inn. Stephen's nephew adds to the enjoyment of the story. I recommend to those that love a short sweet, clean, holiday romance.
I received a copy of this book. This is my honest and voluntary review.
I received a copy of this book. This is my honest and voluntary review.
December 15, 2023
The heartbreak both characters feel about their past is palpable and relatable. Very “Hallmark” which is what I was going for when I chose this book. This book delivered the quintessential happily ever after that we all love. I am so glad I ordered this book when I saw it on Tik Tok.
I would say that there is an element of estrangement between the character and her mom that is a little confusing and plays out in unrealistic terms in my opinion but thats my only complaint about this story.
If you are looking for for a cozy, afternoon romance this book is for you.
I would say that there is an element of estrangement between the character and her mom that is a little confusing and plays out in unrealistic terms in my opinion but thats my only complaint about this story.
If you are looking for for a cozy, afternoon romance this book is for you.
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