Homecoming Hero at the Christmas Inn

by Amy Rafferty

He came home to heal. He didn’t expect to become the hero they all needed.When Marine Gabe Bennett steps back into the Christmas Inn, it’s supposed to be a quiet holiday on the sidelines. But one unexpected homecoming sets off a season of reckoning—and redemption. With his daughter Trinity growing up fast, and his mother still recovering from heartbreak, Gabe is desperate to make up for lost time.

Jane Christmas has survived devastating loss—but she’s not living. Until Trinity’s friendship with Madison Turner brings Jane face-to-face with her past…and with Madison’s mother, Isabella, Jane’s once-rival and now a struggling single mom with secrets of her own.

When Isabella and Gabe’s lifelong best friend, Christopher, collide in the inn’s kitchen, it’s all sparks and sarcasm—until a dangerous twist turns one holiday romance into a life-saving mission.

This Christmas, the lights shine brighter—but so do the shadows.

If you crave small-town romance with heart, healing, high stakes, and holiday magic—buy now and come back to the Christmas Inn, where second chances aren’t just possible… they’re the point.

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2025

About the author

Amy Rafferty writes uplifting, clean romance filled with heart, healing, and the kind of hope that lingers long after the last page. Known for her coastal settings, later-in-life heroines, and unforgettable family bonds, Amy's books offer second chances and emotional journeys wrapped in love and mystery. When she’s not dreaming up her next story, she’s sipping tea by the sea and treasuring time with her family.

I always love to hear from you and get your feedback. Email me at books@amyraffertyauthor.com and Follow Me on Amazon. https://amazon.com/author/amyrafferty

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Reviews

[Lisa Abruzzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm loving this series, the perfect Christmas setting! I liked this one a little more than book 1. I love the relationships between Charlie and Logan and Isabella and Christopher. I'm excited to see how Gabe and Jane's develop in book 3 plus I'm curious to see how the Inn is going to fare.

[Vickie Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a great story.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

He came home to heal. He didn’t expect to become the hero they all needed.

When Marine Gabe Bennett steps back into the Christmas Inn, it’s supposed to be a quiet holiday on the sidelines. But one unexpected homecoming sets off a season of reckoning—and redemption. With his daughter, Trinity, growing up fast, and his mother still recovering from heartbreak, Gabe is desperate to make up for lost time.

Jane Christmas has survived devastating loss—but she’s not living. Until Trinity’s friendship with Madison Turner brings Jane face-to-face with her past…and with Madison’s mother, Isabella, Jane’s once-rival and now a struggling single mom with secrets of her own.

When Isabella and Gabe’s lifelong best friend, Christopher, collide in the inn’s kitchen, it’s all sparks and sarcasm—until a dangerous twist turns one holiday romance into a life-saving mission.

This Christmas, the lights shine brighter—but so do the shadows.

This small-town Christmas holiday second-chance romance is page-turning, with exceptional world-building in St. Augustine, and characters who are captivating, resilient, and realistic. Their journey is enthralling with heart, healing, high stakes, holiday magic, a magical winter wonderland, magnificent sunrises and sunsets that are majestically painted across the sky, this Christmas the lights shine, a devastating loss, a season of reckoning, miracles, and redemption, a single mom, a dangerous twist, heartfelt emotions/emotional depth that will leave readers needing Kleenex/Puffs, love, faith, hope, action, adventure, and more. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with the homecoming hero at the Christmas Inn and a second chance romance that is sure to transport readers into a world that is emotional and unforgettable.

[Terry T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is a sweet small town, second chance, later-in-life, 30 something, military, close proximity, Christmas romance with a touch of suspense.
Some of the lines I really like --- "Next time you’re feeling on edge, maybe just double-check who’s behind you before going full ninja.” --- Please let my son find peace. Let him open his heart again. Let him stop punishing himself for surviving when Abigail didn’t. Let him remember that he deserves to be happy too. --- “We just want you to be happy. You and Charlie don’t have to sneak around like teenagers. You’re not Romeo and Juliet. No one here is planning to duel at dawn because you two are holding hands or stealing kisses in the library.” --- "This isn't food. It's diabetes in a bag." ---
Will they save the Christmas Inn or lose it? Will their Christmas wishes come true? Who's looking for Isabella? What does Todd want? What's the secret about why Abigail really died? What's Pamela up to? Who kidnapped the girls and hit Jane and knockedher out ? Will they find them in time? Did Gabe reinjure his leg? What's Terry and Simon up to? Some questions will be answered in this book and other questions will be answered in books 3 or 4.
I love the romances blooming between Holly and Jack, Charlie and Logan, Isabella and Christopher and Jane and Gabe. I'm sure you will too. I've loved everyone of her books that I've read and I can't wait to read her next book

[Mary Ann Speel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second great book in this series, truly enjoyed reading it. The book is about the two Hs who showed up as a surprise for the mother and daughter in the first book. The H who is the other H’s best friend starts a relationship with the chef for Christmas Inn when early in the morning, after their arrival the night before, he runs into the chef unexpectedly. Their interaction gets off to a rough start but smooths out quickly and their relationship develops quickly. The chef’s ex is wanting to meet with her and she wants nothing to do with him. In the end she does meet with him with the H near by in case she needs help. As she expected he wants her money and the sale of her home for that money too. She refuses. In desperation he kidnaps his daughter and her best friend. The H pursues the ex in behalf of his best friend whose daughter was the other child kidnapped. His best friend can’t go because he has injured his leg again while racing to help his daughter and her friend. In the end the ex is not only caught he is jailed for all that he did. And in the end the two Hs get their women whom they have fallen in love with. The book ends with a surprise so on we go to find out what happens next. Recommend you get this book to follow the lives of all the Hs and hs. You can’t help but love them all and route for their HEAs. Hope you get this series and enjoy all the books. Enjoy!

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 is an absolutely fantastic addition to this series. Once you begin, you can't put it down! There is so much action, danger, kidnapping, and surprises totally wrapped up with the very likeable characters in the book. We even have some romance tossed in that is so sweet you can't help but say ahh! This book will keep you turning pages while it also touches you. The two daughters in this book are fantastic and hold their own. And what a cliff hanger! I can't wait to see where this series goes. The author's writing glides you through the entire book and captures you while you read! I highly recommend this series as well as all the previous series from this author! I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Pam Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great continuation of the series. Since Gabe and Christopher show up as a Christmas surprise, thing begin to heat up romantically as sparks fly. Christopher is draw to single mother Isabelle. When her ex husband brings to contact Isabella, her peaceful world with her daughter Maddy is threatened

Meanwhile Gabe is drawn to spend time with Jane Christmas. It seems both are sharing hurts from the past.

When Todd, the ex husband makes threats, and carries them out, the cunning intelligence of Marines, Christopher and Gabe prove their value

Thank you to the author for this ARC. This review is my honest opinion.

[Paula Corregan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great second book in the series featuring romance as well as suspense. Holly, her family and members of the Christmas Inn staff find love at the inn. A man from chef Isabella's past threatens the peace of mind of the inn's occupants and makes good on his threats in the worst possible way. What will happen next? Find out by reading this unputdownable book, which I highly recommend to other romance readers. I received an ARC of this book, and the opinion expressed is strictly my own.

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Homecoming Hero at the Christmas Inn is the second book in this series which finds Gabe, Tiffiny's father, arriving at the Inn to fulfill her holiday wish for Christmas. New characters are introduced, including Christopher who is another Marine, Couples are in the process of developing or deepening their relationships, but an ex comes to the Inn causing a surprising and suspenseful event. This book ends in a cliffhanger.
I received a free copy of this book via the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful continuation of this incredible series as we embark once again to the Christmas inn. Gabe and his friend Christopher show up for a nice quiet Christmas but get a little more than they bargain for. Jane Christmas has suffered loss and Isabella just wants a quiet life away with her daughter, away from her ex-husband who shows up to cause trouble. Our marines step in to assist and deeper feelings appear, there’s a few twists and turns and some tension in this fantastic sweet romance.

[Melonie Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so amazing, once I started reading I did not want to put it down. I love how there are multiple stories going on and each one seems to have it's ending in each book and I really like this style. The characters worm their way into your heart and the cozy Christmas feel and the families warm your heart! I think this is my favorite series by Amy Rafferty so far. Thank you for the ARC!!

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly and her sister Charlie get invested in helping the Inn on their vacation. Some surprise visitors arrive and with that Trinity gets her Christmas wish.

But, there is danger lurking as well as love budding for Isabella and Christopher. Todd, Isabella’s ex appears and tries extortion and when that doesn’t work...

More twists, turns and second chances at love in this book, but, as always, the ending is a cliff hanger. What will happen in book 3? I guess we have to wait.

[Jan Tomalis · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the books in this series so far just pull you in and you have to keep reading. Her characters are so realistic and her setting descriptions are wonderful! We see the characters growing together and forming a family as they support and look out for each other. I love all the interactions with the 2 12 year old girls. Absolutely looking forward to book 3!
I received an advance copy of this book from the author, however, I voluntarily wrote an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional, touching story.

This is another exceptional book by Amy Rafferty that drew me in and touched so many emotions.  There is sadness, fear, recovery and joy intertwined in this story that I could not put down from the minute I started reading it.  I highly recommend this book and author.

I read this book as part of an advance reader team. I am voluntarily writing this review.

[Roslyn Simonin Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabe and Christopher surprise Trinity, Holly, and Charlie at the Christmas Inn with ssome help from Isabella to keep it a surprise. (Gabe has been injured , thus has to take time off to heal.)
Then Isabella starts getting threatening texts.
Stay tuned for another WILD, NAIL-BITING RIDE .
Amy does it again.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written, second chance, small town Christmas story. I love the cozy Christmas inn and all the characters. This is a wonderful holiday read that entertains page after page. Even with all the warm and cozy there is still something sketchy going on that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Ready for book 3!

[Patti Whitson Stephenson She Lives to Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying the characters and the setting of this “Lights of St. Augustine” series. It’s wonderful light reading for Christmas. The romance is sweet and clean, and the storyline honors our military heroes and makes for interesting reading. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series!

I voluntarily received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[DeeDeeWReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome home

The story continues and it hasn’t gotten any less exciting. Be ready to bite your nails and have your heart in your throat.

Relationships are growing, friendships are blossoming, and evil always exist.

The Christmas Inn deserves a happily ever after and so do its occupants.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serenity being threatened at the Christmas Inn. Our families are facing many new challenges as well as disaster in this beautifully crafted tale of the Christmas Inn. Who will step in and save the moment? Each addition of this saga is very thrilling. Don't miss any.

[Barbara Kaake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story about the Christmas family and their guests and Isabella their cook who is having problems with her exhusband and everybody comes together to help her with lots of suspense and drama. Thank you for this awesome story.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful writing and wonderful descriptions kept me reading . I could not put it down. The issue of grief was handled so beautifully. The ending was very exciting, a must read. I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Deborah K DeLaVina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Homecoming Hero

This book was a joy to read! Filled with past regrets, grief, intrigue, suspense and restoration. An Inn that holds magical powers of uniting people into a relationship.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet holiday read. Gabe’s return to the Christmas Inn felt warm and real, with family struggles, healing, and a touch of romance that made me smile. Perfect if you love cozy Christmas stories with heart.

[Suzanne Myette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas Inn

Love this series that centers around the magic of Christmas and in St. Augustine. As the Christmas family and their guest enjoy the festivities with a little holiday magic.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as advanced reader copy.

I love everything about the Christmas Inn. It has magical healing powers. All the current residents and staff could use some.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Christmas Inn is full of family , guests and excitement. Lots of suspense and danger to this intriguing read with it’s nail-biting finish.

[Linda Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the series set at The Christmas Inn.
There’s romance and suspenseful danger. Will she be safe? Look out for Book 3 coming soon.

[Kathy Dryden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddy and Trinity are kidnapped! Christopher and Logan to the rescue. What an emotional book this has been and these two girls so special. They will wrap themselves around your heart!

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marine Gabe is having a hard time with life and didn’t expect life as it happened. Will he have a chance to have a better future. Love everything about this book. Ready for more.

[Lisa L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare to have your breath catch a time or two. The romance and intrigue are on full display. Sit back and enjoy the ride.