Falling Again at Christmas

by Hannah Jo Abbott

Jenna Grayson has always been the girl with a plan. But directing the church Christmas pageant? That was never on her to-do list. When a string of mishaps threatens to derail the beloved tradition, she’s suddenly in over her head. To her surprise and dismay help arrives in the form of the boy she once secretly adored.

Matt Reynolds can never forgive himself for leaving Jenna behind when he left for college. He spent years seeing her only as his best friend’s little sister. After a few dates, he saw her very differently, but he hadn’t been ready for a long distance relationship. Now back in Pine Haven, Matt finds himself drawn to Jenna again, but the timing never seems right… until the pageant gives him a chance to step in.

With the pageant hanging by a thread, Jenna and Matt must navigate their unresolved feelings while saving the show. Can they find a way to mend the past and discover that the best gift of all just might be a second chance at love?

The books in the Christmas in Pine Haven series can all be read on their own, but with a cast of overlapping characters, they will best be enjoyed in order.

105 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 30, 2025

Reviews

[Trudy Cordle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!! Matt and Jenna have known each other for years. After all, Jenna's brother is Matt's best friend. Jenna had a crush on Matt, and when he finally asked her out his senior year of high school, Jenna thought things were going to work out. Until Matt left for college and ghosted her. Now, he's back in Pine Haven working as a firefighter. When Jenna takes on directing the Christmas pageant at their church, Matt finds out that they're looking for someone to assist her, and he decides he'll volunteer, hoping that working together will help them get back on better footing. Jenna's not forgiven Matt, and now that he's apologized, she's still not sure she can forgive him and move on, no matter how much she still likes him. Love how Jenna figures out that not only can she forgive Matt, but she wants that second chance, too! Now, does she realize it before it's too late? Love how everything comes together!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.

[Lori R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet romantic story set during Christmas.  Jenna had crushed on her brother's best friend for many years and then Matt went off to college and that was it.This book focused on Matt, who had been back in Pine Haven for several years as a firefighter.  It was fun to read about the town's Christmas activities and their church getting ready for the children's Christmas program.  I also enjoyed the possibility of Jenna forgiving Matt.  I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Sandra Hartzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had an ARC for this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Jenna Grayson works for herself doing design work and is asked to direct the Children’s Christmas Program. When she needs an assistant, Matt Reynolds volunteers. They had dated in high school but when he left for college he didn’t contact her again. Now they’re both in the same town again, but she has reservations about trusting him. He has to prove to her that he’s a different person. A touching Christmas story about working together, trust, and forgiveness.

[Sharon S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet addition to the Christmas in Pine Haven series by Hannah Jo Abbott.
Jenna and Matt have a history. He’s her brother’s best friend that she crushed on years. They finally dated a couple times before he left for college but the. He ghosted her.
He’s been back in town for a couple years but he finally asked for forgiveness.
They are working on the kids Christmas program together. Will she forgive him and give him another chance?
*I received this as an ARC reader and am leaving my unbiased review.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy second chance romances. Looking back from senior citizen status, high school heartbreak that can still affect your attitude years later seems so ridiculous. Yet, that hurt is so real and we just know that is our one true love and we’ll never have another. That’s what Jenna was feeling, and it was blocking her from seeing that Matt had matured and improved. Hannah Jo Abbott is good at explaining feelings, particularly heartbreak and regret. I was on team Matt all the way. This was a fun story.

[Holly Bleggi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a cute and cozy second chance Christmas romance. I liked how Matt and Jenna were forced to work together and how their love grew through the process. I liked how they got to see how each other had grown over the years. I also liked how they let down some of their walls so they could be together. I thought this was a cute short story that was very heartwarming.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will Jenna and Matt get another chance to mend their relationship? Matt has always seemed like a part of the family, but when he left for college Jenna never heard from him. Matt has regretted his behavior towards Jenna for so long, but he doesn’t know how to handle the situation. When Jenna is saddled with directing the children’s Christmas play, Matt sees an opportunity to work with Jenna and spend time together, hoping to prove he has changed.

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my voluntary review of a copy I was given.

Falling in love with a sibling's best friend is one of my favorite tropes. The characters have a bit of a shared history, so they can skip right past the “getting to know you” awkwardness of starting from scratch.

Of course, Jenna and Matt add a bit of romantic history and heartbreak to their connection as adults.
Add her protective older brother, and the journey to their HEA proves to not be a straight path.

[Marilu Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a super cute Christmas romance that can be read anytime of the year, the story is about falling for older brother Best friend, the book is clean, fast pace, easy to read and so romantic, the characters are very likable with a happily ever after and a beautiful setting I absolutely enjoy it and recommend it to anyone. I received a copy from the author and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Joyce Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenna and Matt dated briefly in high school. Matt is best friends with Jenna's brother, Nick. He went off to college and ghosted her. Now he's back in town and feels bad about how he treated her. He tries to befriend her, but she is only polite to him. She was very hurt. When Jenna is put in charge of the Christmas play at the last minute, Matt offers to help her. She works hard to guard her heart, but Matt is so good with the kids and so helpful. Sweet novella.

[Lucia Valenzuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great second chance Christmas story. Very enjoyable, clean romance. Jenna and Matt make an adorable couple. They have issues from their past to navigate, but working together on the church Christmas pageant allows Jenna to see how Matt has grown from the young man he was. Loved reading their journey to being together.
I received this book from the author and this is my voluntary, honest review.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Falling Again at Christmas is a Christian, second chance, brother’s best friend romance! Jenna and Matt get a second chance when she is drafted to direct the Christmas pageant and he volunteers to be her assistant. This well written book is heartwarming as Matt proves he has changed and Jenna learns to forgive.MS. Abbott’s themes of love, trust, and forgiveness always speak to me.

[Nati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can Jenna and Mark have a second chance at love? He left town without a goodbye and broke her heart. Helping with the Christmas festival is a way to show her that he has changed and she can count on him. Sweet.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matt decided that the only way to get Jenna to forgive him is to show her that he is sincere, helping her with the church Christmas pageant felt right. I enjoyed this sweet, second chance Christmas romance. Working with children is always fun and Matt showed Jenna what a good guy he really is.

[Cilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story

Jenna had always had a crush on the brother's friend Matt, but he ghosted her when he went to college. Jenna had to work through her hurt and forgive him for the past and see that he was different now.

[Erralee Hendrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story with Jenna and Matt. I like how they are in charge of a Christmas play together. There is so much humor with the kids in the play that balanced out the more serious moments with Matt and Jenna nicely. Wonderful Christmas romance that can standalone or be read with the series.

[Sarah Rooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story and how Jenna and Matt worked together on the Christmas pageant, learned to forgive and trust, and opened up to love again. Love this family and series!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable story about second chances, so enjoyable. The characters are lovely. Definitely recommend. I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

This is a good, quick story. I wasn't sure about Jenna at first but she grew on me. I really liked Matt.