Second Chance Holiday

Until #4.5

by Aurora Rose Reynolds

Mike Rouger isn't looking for love. He decided long ago that he would rather stay single than get mixed up with a woman again. Then Kathleen Mullings comes back into his life with her teenage son and changes everything. What happens when a man set in his ways meets a sassy woman who knows what she wants? Mix in the Mayson clan and the Christmas season and you’re sure to enjoy the ride of Second Chance Holiday.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Novella, Second Chance, Christmas, Holiday

109 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 17, 2014

About the author

Aurora Rose Reynolds is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author whose wildly popular series include Until, Until Him, Until Her, Underground Kings and Shooting Stars.

Her writing career started in an attempt to get the outrageously alpha men who resided in her head to leave her alone and has blossomed into an opportunity to share her stories with readers all over the world.

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Second Chance stars



I love Aurora Rose Reynold’s Until series, so when I heard Mike- November’s dad- was getting his own story in the form of a holiday novella I was excited. I enjoyed this one a lot.

Mike Rouger has been burned by love once in the worst way. He’s not sure if he’s willing to take that shot again. When a woman from the past returns into his life, he just might be willing to try…

Kathleen Mullings hasn’t had the best experiences with love either, but she’s not willing to spend the rest of her life alone. She wants that happily ever after. And she wants it with Mike.



Mike and Kat were both great characters. They were sweet together. Though there was a small amount of conflict towards the begining, there was very little angst, which was nice. I also really liked Kat’s son Brandon and his relationship with Mike.

My first holiday read of the season didn’t let me down. Lovable characters, sexy scenes, a sweet story and of course some Mayson boys added in. Can’t ask for much more than that!

[Mysza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, that was quick, nice, second chance Christmas story. After nasty split up with cheating husband, Kathleen returns to her home town to raise sixteen-year-old son. She meets high school friend Mike and they start relationship based on sex, but when it's not enough for Kat and she asks for more, it develops into true love thing.

I liked it a lot. The characters are in their forties, which was great, because I rarely read books about mature couples nowadays and it was nice to do so, for a change. There is strong chemistry between them and they are sweet and steamy together. Except a little misunderstanding at the beginning, the book was drama free. Overall, it was cute story about learning how to trust and falling in love again. But it's not only romance with Christmas spirit, it is also a warm and tender family story.

Kat was kind of romantic but also level-headed, she knew what she wanted out of life and wasn't afraid to fight for it. Mike was fantastic, such an alpha male, who not only took care of Kat, but also bonded with her son Brandon. I absolutely loved that he was so supportive of both of them. I liked Brandon, after seeing how he has grown up, I hope he will get his own story some day.

"You're not my dad, but you're the man I look up to. The man who has shown me how to be a man, and for that, I will always be grateful and would be honored if you would let me call you Dad."

There are characters from the author's "Until" series, but the novella can be read as a standalone. I haven't read this series and was not missing anything. After a little sample here, now I'm really keen on meeting those Mayson guys!

One thing was bugging me a little though, this novella needs serious editing. I'm not English native speaker and I often don't notice grammar and spelling mistakes, but it was obviously distracting here. But hell, the book was good so I will just shut up for now. Anyway, it was nothing major and didn't keep me from liking the story.

[✦❋Arianna✦❋ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Second Chance Holiday” is a sweet, comfort read about two people who learn how to trust and love again.

Mike Rouger (November’s dad from the first book in the series “Until November”) doesn’t trust women very easily. November’s mother affected him, make him question every woman he had come into contact with. Needless to say, he doesn’t want or need a relationship. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to have a woman.

Kathleen Mullings is divorced, raising her son alone. She knows that not all men are bastards like her ex and she knows that out there is someone for her, someone who will love her the way she needs to be loved.

Mike and Kat know each other from high school. When Kat moves back in town, she and Mike start seeing each other. But they don’t have a real relationship, they are more friends with benefits. If at first Kat accepts what Mike gives her, just sex, months later she decides that's not enough. She wants more, more of everything, because she knows she deserve it.



This a very cute read! The story was predictable, yes, but I enjoyed it. The characters are lovable and relatable. Kat was great - loving and caring and most of all she knows what she wants from life. She also is a great mother. Mike, our sexy hero, was great too. He's a good man with a big heart. I loved his jealous, possessive side.

Low in angst, “Second Chance Holiday” was a pretty good read with lovely main and side characters, a sweet romance and terrific writing.

“Life has a way of giving you everything you didn’t even know you needed.”

[[~Ami~]♥Sexy Dexy♥]

DNF

I know what you all must be thinking: "how can Ami DNF a novella?" In my defence I totally forgot who Mike was. I don't mind reading about older guys (duh KA?!!) but it was slightly off putting knowing he was a granddad. So well save me an hour to read something else.

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second Chance Holiday is by Aurora Rose Reynolds.

Mike Rouger and Kathleen (Kat) Mullings knew each other back in high school, each harboring a secret crush on the other. Jump ahead about twenty five years and Kat is moving back to her home town in Tennessee with a surly teen age son. When she accidentally runs into Mike in the local hardware store, the connection is made and a teen age crush turns into something more.



Mike was badly hurt in his previous marriage. He now has an adult married daughter and grandchildren. He is not looking for anything serious so he and Kat enter into a sort of a “just sex” type of relationship. Kat has agreed to this and has kept it a secret from her now 17 year old son. The problem is, after a year, her heart has gotten involved. She has fallen in love. She wants more and knows that isn’t what Mike wants so she ends it.

“I know what I want out of life, and I know that I deserve to have a man who is supportive at my side. I have been single for a long time, but I miss having someone to wake up to or someone to call when I just need to vent.”

Kat is determined to make the break and starts a series of dates from an online dating service that are catastrophic to say the least. Especially when Mike walks into the restaurant and glares at her from the bar the entire time. Mike thought Kat liked the way things were so when she ends things, he is shocked to say the least. He is determined to win her back.





Kat’s son, Brandon, is clearly troubled. His own Dad has chosen his girlfriend and her kids over him time and time again. Kat feels bad about the cards Brandon has been dealt and takes a softer approach to his troubles than what he really needs. I think my favorite part of this book is Mike’s natural intuition as to how to deal with Brandon. A fishing trip with his family and some male bonding time, changes everything. I loved watching Brandon change from an angry teen to a man and the way he grew to look up to Mike.



Okay, so what I liked about this book is the relationship between Mike and Brandon. And there were some really sweet moments and some super sexy scenes as well. The problem, for me, was that it never really flowed. It felt choppy and kept jumping ahead without any notice. I would start a new chapter and suddenly realize it was six months in the future. It wasn’t really a holiday story either. It did end on a holiday note but the story itself spanned over a length of time. This has been getting a lot of great reviews so maybe it was just me but it was just an okay read. Not really what I was looking for at the time.

[Maria... · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

It was a short sweetie Christmas story about Mike and Kathleen!

I liked that November's dad got his HEA in the end!

And of course I really enjoyed the fact that we read about the previous heroes from "Until" series.
Especially Asher and November and their little girls!

Enjoy! xxx

[Pavlina Read more sleep less blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Raine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book! I'm glad that Mike is able to find his HEA after all this time.

[Mitch C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mike Rouger, November’s dad and one of the owners of Teasers, the strip club that his family owns, have been burned by November’s mom making him adamant to believe in love again.

Kat Mullings, divorcee and a mother to an 18-year old boy, have been suffering from the aftermath of divorce, is determined to believe that true love exists yet scared to take a chance.

But one afternoon, Mike and Kat met again and right there and then, the secret admiration they had before ignited once more. It started as no-strings attached, but after nine months, Kat realized she can’t be just like that – a fuck buddy.

But what she didn’t know, Mike is planning something else - marriage and a life-long of happiness.

A good quick-read about another chance of finding, believing and falling in love, starting anew and bringing the family together.

[Chan · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a cute novella. I was able to enjoy the short story due to being introduced to the majority of the characters in the previous novels.
It was nice to see that Mike, November's father, was able to open his heart again and find love. I also enjoyed the side story of Brandon. I hope he gets a book.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Reading a book with characters in their mid forties was a refreshing change of pace. I'm closer to forty than thirty so I could identify. This is a very short read and I could've used a bit more story, but it was great catching up with November and the rest of the gang.

[Corandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Val ⚓️ Shameless Handmaiden ⚓️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Merry Alpha Stars

This is my first Christmas read of 2014 and what a way to start! Mike was scrumptious, of course, and it was really fun to visit with all of our Until Series family members.



This was super fun and really light and I really enjoyed it. If you like Reynold's "formula," hot holiday sexy times, and babies tinsel everywhere, this one is for you!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overal rating: 4.5 "Kitten" stars!!!

Triggers:
Cheating: hell no
Love triangle: nope
Sex with om/ow: negative

HEA: yes - just fabulous!

I have been waiting on this little gem of a story for awhile now. Ever since I met, Mike, November's Dad in book 1, I have been waiting for him to get his HEA and I AM SO HAPPY HE FOUND IT! Kathleen was a great heroine and mom. She is a great addition to this family for sure. I loved everything about this little story - especially the epilogue! I LOVED reading about all of those lovely couples and all of their wonderful kids. I cannot wait to read more from this author!

[Rachael*Caribbean*girl*bibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Random thoughts

Mike really surprised me, after a year of a sex only relationship only when it came to an end did he think he wanted more.
I loved that the h tried to move on, she knew what she wanted and I admired her for being able to walk away from Mike
I'd have liked to see more of Mike and Brandon developing a relationship
There's the Alpha protective ARR hero I'd expected
Grandma and Grandpa are having a baby 😂 I dig it!
The epilogue was all the damn things.

A bit disjointed and Mike faltered a couple times but all in all I liked it.

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars – Contemporary/Holiday Romance Novella

I really enjoyed this one! I loved that the H/h were in their 40's and more mature and wiser about relationships and life. And it was great catching up with the Rouger and Mayson clans from the Until series. I hope Brandon gets his own story!

[B.E.Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plain simple fact is that if Aurora Rose Reed writes it I will read it (makes me think if you build it they will come:). This was one novella that was just easy and fun to read. From word one I was transformed back into the world Mrs. Reynolds created and hooked. I didn't want to put this book down but at the same time didn't want it to end. When I finished and the dreaded 100% showed up I was left just wanting the next one.

One day out at the hardware store Mike(Novembers dad who shows up in book 1) runs into a girl from high school. Mike always had a crush on Kat but it never went anywhere and after Kat graduated she went off to college and never came back. Now Kat is home wanting to raise her son in the place she loved growing up. Mike has only improved with age and seeing him bring back all the feeling she had for him, So when he asks for her number she agrees.

After nine months Kat can't take it any more, she was fine with just hooking up but she did what she never thought would happen and fell in love with Mike. But Mike made it very clear from the beginning that after all that Novembers mom put him though he has no desire for more. Knowing what she has to do Kat walks away, leaving Mike stunned and quickly regretting letting her go. Now Mike will do anything to get her back.

You know a book is good if after you finish it you pick up the original because you just an't hold off anymore and you just can't see yourself not having a book in this series to read. While reading this book I kept looking at the percentage and time left and tried to read slower so I would't finish the book. I loved this book from beginning to end. There was literally nothing I didn't like, yes I would have loved it to be longer but only because I loved it so much.

I loved Mike in book one but never thought of him as more than November's father, boy was I wrong I loved reading his book and watching him get a happy ending, and after all he was put through Mrs. Reynolds gave him more than enough happy to make up for all the garbage he was dealt before. Mike was an amazing hero possessive, strong, smart and loving, and I loved that we got and older couple in this book as well(I'm hoping we see more of this from Aurora Rose Reed because she definitely knows how to write it), though neither Mike nor Kat are old. Kat was a great heroine she knew what she wanted and she knew what she wouldn't accept and that alone made me fall in love with her.

I also loved that we got to see the relationship that Mike and Kat's son Brandon developed, and as with all the other books we get to see the previous Hero's and heroines in this book as well. Yes this is a novella but it had everything a great book has nothing was skimmed over or lacking. This was a great Holiday book through and through from begging to end but more than that it was just a great book.

[Cheesecake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mike (November's dad) and Kat, the girl he knew in high school.

They knew of each other back then, but didn't 'know' each other. Different circles, but some admiring glances from afar.
So now they bump into each other and one thing leads to another, but Mike drops the ball. She thinks she feels more for him than he does for her because he is keeping their relationship a sexy secret.
So she walks away and starts dating others from a dating app. Of course, as these books go, they are all losers. (Well actually that is probably a lot like real life!)

But this is only the start of the story, it moves on at a good pace and more stuff happens. Nothing too angsty, but not boring either.

I really enjoyed this one! Just as I was giving up on this author... but then again, this one was written a while ago...
Too bad this one isn't on audio!

Safety is good I didn't get the impression that Mike was a manho like his brother. There are no OWs present and the men Kat dates when they are apart were all idiots. Her ex shows up but it's no big deal.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all, I really love this author and her writing style. I will read all of her work regardless. However, this is not her best, nor does it showcase her talent in its best light.

The scenes of this story just did not flow. For example, the beginning of the book Brandon just turned 16, then a few paragraphs later he was a couple weeks away from turning 18....I was lost, had to reread and assumed the author made an error. But I was wrong, because I later learned that that time fast forwarded by almost 2 years. That seemed to happen throughout the whole book. There were no divisional flags for the reader to understand that we were reading about another scene, the next day, or even the following year. It really frustrated me and got in the way of me enjoying this simple story.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

[Lady E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love a mature couple!

[Suzana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sweet and nice read :)

[Andrea Fleury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mike

Mike hot and sexy as hell. His life will never be the same since Kat is back in his life. And she has a teenage son.

[Nova · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute quick read I wasn’t expecting.

Mike and Kat knee each other in high school and each had crushes on the other but never did anything about it. It’s years later when they bump into each other at the local store and Mike finds what he wasn’t looking for a true love.

Kat is back in her home town after her divorce and her teenage son getting involved with the wrong people she decides on a fresh start for them both. Bumping into Mike takes her by surprise he’s still as handsome as ever and chemistry sizzles between them. Agreeing to meet up as a friends with benefits leads to something more for her and realises that this could never be the future she really wants no matter how much she loves him she needs to move on. But is it really going to be that easy and will Mike let her go?

Mike was destroyed after November’s mother left him and took away his daughter, his heart is damaged and never thought that he could live again but Kat breaks down all his walls without him realising it until she’s gone and he knows he is going to have to work hard to win her back. Add in her son Brandon and he has the chance at having a real family and it’s one he never thought he could have.

The relationships in this story are really something, the way that Mike and Brandon’s relationship grows and they become family. It’s a great Holiday Read.

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/4.5 stars

I was a little hesitant picking this up since the last book from this author wasn't as awesome as I thought it would be. BUT I gotta say for a short book this was a great read for me. I don't read too many novellas as I've found most in the past have failed to engage me with not enough character building and little to no plot. However Second Chance Holiday ticked all the boxes for me, great pacing and likeable characters, decent plot and Ms Reynolds signature OTT alpha. I just wished it was a little longer, couldn't get enough of it. Bravo Ms Reynolds.

[Fiction Junkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread still pretty great. The h did try to date a couple of times while they were broke up, but didn't last too long. Once they were back together that was it for both of them.
Great read. Reads fast and easy.
•No cheating between mcs
•No virgins
•Blip of om drama
•Slight push/pull
•Short separation
•HEA- Married with kids

[Mariann {at} Belle's Book Bag · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Freaking Good!!!

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

Very sweet and it was nice seeing everyone in the family doing well. : )

[Christy Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Great to see the Mayson boys and meet Mike more.

[Chris- Bookaddict · Rating 4 out of 5]

So Happy Mike got his HEA!!!!!