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Second Chance #3

A Bad Boy for Christmas

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'Tis the Season to Be Naughty

Connor McClain knows what he wants. And after four harrowing years in Afghanistan, that's a quiet life in the lakeside town of Evergreen Cove. But coming home has land mines of its own-the most dangerous of them being long-legged bombshell Faith Garrett. Now getting her into his arms this holiday is going to require more than mistletoe . . .

With a cheating ex behind her, all Faith wants is a relaxing holiday free from man drama. And even though every moment with gorgeous Connor is a sweet temptation, Faith is determined not to give in. But Jack Frost has other plans, and soon Faith and Connor are snowbound in a winter wonderland with only the sparks flying between them to keep them warm. As one hot kiss leads to another, they'll have to decide if they're ready to give each other the best gift of all-love.


"Everything I love in a romance."
--- Lori Foster, 2014

369 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 29, 2015

60 people are currently reading
1612 people want to read

About the author

Jessica Lemmon

200 books1,914 followers
Jessica Lemmon is a former job-hopper who resides in Ohio with her husband and rescue dogs. She holds a degree in graphic design currently gathering dust in an impressive frame. When she’s not writing emotionally-charged stories, she spends her time drawing, drinking coffee, and laughing with friends. Her motto is Read for fun, and she believes we should all do more of what makes us happy.

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Displaying 1 - 28 of 154 reviews
Profile Image for Jonetta.
2,594 reviews1,328 followers
May 28, 2020

Connor McClain and Faith Garrett are good friends, despite both secretly being in lust with each other. She's still licking her wounds following a broken engagement with a cheating ex-fiancé and he's got some baggage from a past relationship that pushed him to enlist and end up in Afghanistan.

I LOVED this story! Connor has a wicked sense of humor and is sexy in all the right ways (a gentleman, loves his family, protective nature, etc.). Faith is beautiful but is completely unaffected by her looks, is smart and has a sinful addiction to sugar. When these two are together, it's fun and often filled with sexual tension in a really good way. Their romance developed so naturally, progressing slowly but deliberately on a straight path. I liked them individually, as a couple and as friends.

It's also not without emotional complexity. Faith's dysfunctional upbringing, coupled with the fallout from a truly wretched ex, rears its ugly head at a very inopportune time, almost having me shift my attitude towards her. Same goes for Connor and both of their behaviors were totally in character.

This story has everything and isn't just a Christmas story. It's the best to date in a series I'm really enjoying. It has all the elements you want to find in a contemporary story. Great job. 4.5 stars.

(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
Profile Image for Leticia (jerseygirlsbookshelf).
578 reviews289 followers
October 7, 2020
"She so wanted to be Vivien Leigh after she’d seen Gone with the Wind."

Funny how this quote kind of sums it all up - I was left thinking about Scarlet O'Hara for a while, especially the bit about her needing to be kissed often, and by someone who knows how. And this is how I see Faith Garrett.

This series is one of the best I've ever read and this is only the third book - I bet the fourth is another emotional rollercoaster I will need to prepare for.

Connor is everything you need and want in a hero. He is sexy as sin, he's protective, he's caring - he's all muscle on the outside but he's also the guy who babysits his plants and the guy who's there for everyone.
Faith used to have a fiancé who cheated on her (you'll know all about it from previous books in this series). So she's not about to rely on the sexy landscaper because she wants to be her own woman, fiercely independent. But she hasn't realized two things: one, that being with the right person doesn't mean losing your independence, and two... that keeping her independence the wrong away may mean letting go of something good.

"Because independence was now hers. Thrust upon her, maybe because she’d been fighting for it this entire time. She was victorious. But the only thing she felt was lost."

This book has it all: the sexy moments, the flirty glances, the amazing banter between them, and, if you're into the holidays as I am, Thanksgiving and a Christmas blizzard - and the friends who always seem make it all better.

This is definitely a book about second chances, between a man who ran off to enlist because he was broken due to love only to come back broken from war, and a woman who was hurt by someone who should have loved her instead.
All they needed was to let each other in.

Awesome book.
Profile Image for Simply Love Book Reviews.
7,046 reviews870 followers
September 29, 2015
Slick's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

Honestly I didn't know if Jessica Lemmon would ever top Evan Downey from Bringing Home the Bad Boy, really I doubted she could, but she delivered a new top hero in my book with Connor McClain in A Bad Boy for Christmas. We got a good look at Connor in the last book, but that look was just a glimpse of the man he is and the man he wants to be. This book is everything I love about romance; the flirty glances, the sexy banter that's really foreplay, the sexual tension so thick everyone around feels it and two people finally giving in and admitting that despite their issues they are willing to take a chance because the other person makes them feel again. While at times emotional I loved the light and airy feel to this romance and the fact that for the most part these were two adults figuring out a way to be together and learning to not let their pasts dictate the future. A Bad Boy for Christmas is simply put an amazing love story and my favorite in this series to date.

Gruff and a little rough around the edges Connor McClain is the first to admit that finally after two years of being out of the army that he's finally feeling better about life; his landscaping business is taking off, he has his best friend back in his life even though said friend's fiancée takes up a good part of his time, he's reconnecting with his family, he makes time for friends new and old and then there is Cupcake, Faith Garrett, his best friend's fiancée's business partner and a perk of working at The Mansion. I have to admit I loved Connor from the start and as each layer of him was pulled back I found I loved him even more even when he was kind of an a$$ because it came at a time he was dealing with some heavy emotions. Connor is one of those good guys; the ones who wants to make sure everyone in his life is okay, they are safe and taken care of. And while at times his mouth might come of slightly crude, he's honest to a fault and when he needs to be or when something really matters he can be quite eloquent. He really is kind of a conundrum.

Determined not to be like her mother or her sister Faith Garrett is reclaiming her life after catching her fiancé cheating on her. She's promised herself to be independent, to not lean on anyone and to not look for love or marriage at all. That doesn't stop her from admiring The Mansion's hot landscaper and the man who loves to banter with her. Following an incident that leaves her shaken, she finds herself with a self appointed body guard and as much as she hates to admit it having Connor in her space and in her life isn't all bad, but she's determined to keep her distance.

I have to say I adore couples who can banter back and forth and enjoy it and giving the reader a good look at how it affects both parties. Connor and Faith are both in the process of reclaiming their lives; they really are more alike than they both realize and the chemistry between them is off the charts. I loved so much about Connor; the way he jumped in to make sure Faith was safe, how he made sure she celebrated the holidays fully even though he hadn't enjoyed them in awhile, how he jumped in an handled her less than tactful mother, how he accepted every little part about her and the way he genuinely cared not only about Faith but everyone in his life. Seriously good guy written all over him but don't think he's a pushover because Connor is all man and he may be younger than Faith but life experience has taught him a lot and he was more than willing to share all his expertise with her. I liked Faith quite a bit but at times she worried me because he had decided to be this closed off person something that was no not her true personality. I kind of hated how she tried to keep Connor at arm's length although he kind of bulldozed right through that but even after quite a bit of time her stubbornness and her fears almost ruined a great thing for her.

There was something truly special about all the little things they shared and all the moments in everyday life that turned into more. I liked the ease of their relationship and that Connor respected that Faith was scared and how he took the pressure off and I loved that despite her reservations Faith did begin to open up to him. They shared a lot of their pasts, their secrets and their pain and through it all they managed to find something really wonderful.

Sometimes a book has all the elements that make it a perfect romance and Jessica Lemmon did that in A Bad Boy for Christmas. Playful, fun, sensual, emotional and sexy all describe this book and I truly can't wait to sit down and read it again.

Review copy provided for an honest review.
Profile Image for ☕️Kimberly  (Caffeinated Reviewer).
3,587 reviews785 followers
November 25, 2015
We meet Conner and Faith in the previous novels as Faith had a come to Jesus moment when she saw Conner working on Donovan Pate’s estate in the quiet lakeside community of Evergreen Cove. Faith, coming off a nasty breakup is best friends and business partners with Sofie Martin. I loved Faith. She is strong, confident and sassy. Conner is best friends with Donovan and has recently returned from Afghanistan. The man is gorgeous inside and out, but also troubled from his time abroad. Seeing his protective nature, and uncovering his, romantic side was delicious.

Lemmon added danger and a snow storm to bring our commitment shy couple together. The sparks, teasing, and bickering had me smiling and swooning. She created a wonderful holiday setting highlighting one of the sweetest Christmases ever. I adored this couple and consumed this tale in a single afternoon during the Ho-Ho-Ho readathon. It was the perfect feel good romance to put me in a holiday mood.

Foodie lovers be warned there is wicked talk of cupcakes, cinnamon buns and bakery devil dogs you will crave. Thankfully, there is a recipe for them!

If you haven’t read Jessica Lemmon’s books yet, I totally recommend curling up by the fire with A Bad Boy for Christmas.

Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Profile Image for Anna's Herding Cats.
1,274 reviews319 followers
September 28, 2016


Reviewed for herding cats & burning soup.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1FU2cvQ

Best Christmas book I've read all year! A Bad Boy for Christmas was everything. Heartfelt, sexy, full of humor and good friends, falling in love with all it's yummy bits and pieces. Holidays, family, make you sign sweetness and lots and lots of dessert. Total win from page one to the very last word.

The quick of it is that Faith is over men. And this is a problem for Connor since he totally has a thing for her and wants to get real close to her. A couple scary movies with the girls and a creepy noise outside her door and BOOM! he's got his chance and is totally taking it. He's gonna stick to her like glue...you know...just in case there really is danger a brewing :D

I would be ALL over Connor. OMG. Can I please have one of him for Christmas??! Everything about this guy was delicious. He's got the sexy swagger. He's got the ghosts from his past haunting him. He's got a kind hand and gentle touch. He's funny and sweet and omg every time he kissed her temple my knees went a little weak. I was having a total lust fest over Connor. I sure was. lol

And Faith (aka Cupcake) was a fantastic heroine too. I could totally be friends with her and bond over the love of sweet treats. She ran a little bit too hard now and again and I wanted to shake her for it because...seriously...Connor! but she was fun, sweet and could be a little naughty with him which was delightful.

The chemistry was so hot it could melt snow! Yeah. These two were amazing together. When they were getting along, when he was driving her crazy hounding her steps (again in case of danger!), when they were working together, playing together and especially when they found themselves all snowbound for the holidays. Noms! They were just on fire and the banter and looks between them steamy fun.

If you only read one Christmas romance this year...make it A Bad Boy for Christmas. It'll sweep you away and leave you smiling, sighing and totally satisfied. This was Lemmon at her absolute best! The romance, the characters, the magic of the season...it'll stick with you for all the right reasons.
Profile Image for Kate Meader.
Author 55 books3,394 followers
September 29, 2015
J-Lem does it again! Another fabulous entry in the Second Chance series with the added bonus of our couple being snowed in at Christmas in a cabin. With only instant coffee - gah! But who needs real coffee when you've got Connor keeping you warm? Le sigh. Connor was absolutely perfect with his big hands and hard muscles and ability to coax life from the earth, just like he did with Faith, who needed to have her hope in love restored. This is just a wonderfully told, sweet 'n sexy tale with great secondary characters and a fabulous setting. And I'm loving the set-up for Glo and Ash. Bring it, J-Lem!
Profile Image for 1-Click Addict Support Group.
3,749 reviews490 followers
September 27, 2015
A sweet friends-to-lovers story…

This is a gentle and sweet friends-to-lovers story in keeping with the great writing style of this author. There is always a depth of emotion combined with humor and steam in her books and this is another great example of that. This time out it is Connor and Faith’s story.

“Afternoon, Cupcake.”
“Good afternoon to you, Beefcake.”


Connor McLain embodies so many of the qualities one would want in a friend and lover. Compassionate, loyal, selfless, he has a sense of humor and hunky sexiness that is one incredibly attractive package. Ex-military, he has been back from the Middle East for a number of years but has not been able to put all his demons and nightmares to rest. Working with nature has given him a sense of peace but there is still something missing. And enter Faith…

Faith is still recovering from a cheating ex as she rebuilds her sense of self and life. She is settling into her new home, her new everything, but her friends are going to help her through it. It’s great to see again the couples from the previous books in this series—Donovan and Sofie, and Charlie and Evan—as they again provide a haven of friendship and love to each other.

It’s late September and I admit it’s a bit strange reading this book that’s set around Thanksgiving and Christmas. But when else would there be an opportunity to be snowed in?! The road to romance for these two is a gentle build-up with a few bumps encountered along the way. Faith has been really shaken up by her ex’s betrayal and she dwells on that quite a bit (well, a lot, really). Connor doesn’t want to mix business with pleasure or jeopardize the solid friendships he has.

“Sleeping with the girl who was his buddy’s girl’s best friend was the jewel in the crown of Stupid.”… “So, Cupcake was a demilitarized zone.”

Overall, it was a great read full of interesting and likable characters and a story with an HEA that gave me the warm and fuzzies. Definitely a book I will pick up again when the snow sets in and Christmas lights are twinkling from the firelight. So many hints on stories that are coming up next—I can’t wait! ~ Diane, 4.5 stars

~~~

Seriously Evergreen Cove, why do you get all of the swoonworthy men? I love coming back to this town every story!

In A Bad Boy for Christmas, Connor gets his turn. He is a former soldier turned landscaper and has a major protective instinct. He does have a hard time opening up and letting people in though, from his time in the military as well as a past girlfriend. When he finds out that Faith has a potential burglar his protective instinct kicks into high gear and he goes to great lengths to keep her safe.

Faith is just out a bad relationship when her ex-fiancé cheated on her.

“The last thing she needed, the very last thing she wanted, was a relationship. Been there, done that, cleaned the toilet with Michael’s T-shirt.”

And though she is strongly attracted to Connor, she keeps it to friendly flirting. But she can admit that it is nice having a big, strong man around to protect her.

When the two finally give in to their attraction it is sexy.

“Giving it to you hard,” he announced. “You want it different, you’ll have to be on top.”

It is also sweet. Connor is always putting Faith first, no matter what. It takes Faith a long time to open up and he gives her the space she needs.

“He makes me feel things in parts other than my physical parts.”

This story was equal parts sweet and steamy. I absolutely adore Connor and his protective ways; the way he is with his family; and how great of a man he is. He might just be my favorite, at least for the time being!

I loved visiting the entire crew and seeing how they are doing as well. We saw a lot of Sophie and Donovan this time, and a bit of Charlie and Evan. I hope Gloria and Asher get their book next. I can’t wait to read their story!

While this is my first Christmas story as I don’t usually do holiday reads, A Bad Boy for Christimas was so much more. There was a bit of heartfelt Christmas in the story, but I felt like it wasn’t just a Christmas read. ~ Tiffany, 4.5 stars
Profile Image for Lisa Filipe.
Author 5 books250 followers
August 10, 2016
The binge read with Jessica's Lemmondrops reading group on Facebook has been so much fun! I have gotten to read the first three titles and am getting to swept up in Evergreen Cove...I am thinking about moving!

A BAD BOY FOR CHRISTMAS is Faith and Connor's story, and who doesn't want a big, strong ex-military man who is good with his hands, protecting them...right? Faith is one lucky lady, she gets Connor sleeping on her couch, giving her ice cream kisses and a whole lot more kisses, and I won't tell you where!

Jessica Lemmon knows how to HEAT UP THE HOLIDAYS with a smokin hot romance with two characters who have been hurt in the past, but it's the hero who puts it all on the line this time, and I LOVED EVERY MINUTE! If Faith doesn't want him, I am available!

This is a series not to be missed!
Profile Image for Annie .
2,506 reviews940 followers
October 20, 2015
My first Jessica Lemmon book was a success. I really loved Connor and Faith for the most part. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
Profile Image for Saly.
3,437 reviews578 followers
April 19, 2019
3.25 stars
A delicious perfect hero is paired with another heroine who is a hot-mess. I don't like reading about insecure heroines too much. The hero is amazing, a good son, good friend and a man who isn't scared to admit he is in love and wants more than casual. This series has been up and down for me. And I won't read the last one, as I have read the first 2 chapters of the next and it is not my thing. I do not like rockstar promiscuous heroes.
Profile Image for Sarah (is clearing her shelves).
1,229 reviews175 followers
December 31, 2015
31/12 - I liked Connor and Faith's characters, but I don't really understand why Connor is a 'bad boy'. Just because he's an ex soldier and has a few tattoos? That didn't really make sense to me. It was like Connor was a cardboard cut out of a 'bad boy', with some of the appropriate personality traits stuck on him, but they didn't mesh into his character. They just hung on him so the reader knew he was the 'bad boy' of the title.

There were a few editing mistakes I noticed too. On page 8

"He pulled the gloves from the back pocket of a pair of stressed jeans."

That should be di stressed.

A couple of times, including on page 134, she uses fettered in completely the wrong context

His gaze fettered to the side, his gaze going a little too serious for the light moment.

'Fettered' doesn't mean the same as 'skittered' or 'flicked'. It means

restrain with chains or manacles, typically around the ankles:
"a ragged and fettered prisoner"
synonyms: shackle, manacle, handcuff, clap in irons

restrict or restrain (someone) in an unfair or undesirable fashion:
"he was not fettered by tradition"


So, if you read that sentence (and the other instances 'fettered' is used incorrectly) in the manner it's actually written Connor has manacles tied to his eyeballs that are forcing him to look in a particular direction. Doesn't sound quite right to me.

Probably my favourite part of the book was listening to Connor's internal monologue, hearing what he thought of Faith, or 'Cupcake' as he nicknames her. What he's thinking when he looks at her, especially when she's doing something quirky and he thinks it's cute (like the 'tinsel' on their Christmas tree). Faith and Connor's relationship began before the beginning of this book, leaving me wondering about the full story behind their first meeting and wishing I'd read the previous books in the series first (as per usual!). Will definitely be doing that when I can.
Profile Image for Danielle.
1,339 reviews51 followers
September 3, 2015
I so want Conner as my bad boy for Christmas!!

I was so excited that we finally get Conner and faiths story! It was everything I loved in a romance and more.

Faith is taking a break on men since she discovered her ex fiancé is a cheater. But one thing she can't deny is her attraction to Conner. When Faith believes someone is trying to break in her new apartment Conner comes to the rescue and wants her by his side until he figures out who is trying to break in.

After reading this Conner is hands down my favorite character. Not only is he sexy but I loved how protective and sweet he is with Faith. These two have this really great attraction and chemistry. I loved how close they become.

One of my favorite things about this story was that it took place over a few holidays and not just one. I liked how you could see their relationship growing over the months. I loved the idea of Conners sisters taking Faith up the attic for the truths over wishbones. And it was super sweet for Conner to invite Faith over since she never had a traditional thanksgiving.

It's was great to see the characters from the first two book and catch up with them. After Asher throws in a BIG surprise now I am dying for his book! I can't wait to see where Lemmon goes with his story.

This book is a must read and I know you will fall for Conner just as much as I did! This book could be read as a standalone but it's so much more fun to get to know everyone from the very beginning.
Profile Image for Kim.
2,157 reviews62 followers
July 12, 2017
This was just an adorable read. I adored Faith and Connor! Faith's hangups after being devastated by a cheating fiance are completely realistic. Her unwillingness to jump in to a new relationship and just trust her heart and feelings makes her seem so normal. As for Connor - my heart just broke for him. (And for his friend Jonas) He's just completely stuck and unsure how to move forward with his life since coming home from Afghanistan. The two recognize the chemistry they have and decide to just test out being together - no strings attached. Yet over time Connor recognizes how much Faith makes him want to live and experience life again. It's through this re-invigoration of his life that he realizes how much he loves Faith and what she brings to his life. Faith on the other hand is absolutely terrified at the feelings Connor stirs in her. She's worried about putting her heart back out there again and having it not work out. Their struggles and successes make for a very believable romance, one that I think a large audience would also enjoy.
Profile Image for Cocktails and Books.
4,143 reviews322 followers
September 27, 2015
This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books

In a Bad Boy for Christmas, we meet Faith and Connor; they are coworkers who have a good flirty relationship going on. Faith is still recovering from discovering her fiancée was cheating on her and having to move home with her mother. She has recently moved back out on her own and doesn’t want a relationship. Connor is a veteran with a mile wide protective streak and an attraction to Faith. When we first meet our couple, they are still in the flirty stage and he is determined to respect her boundaries.

I enjoyed how Ms. Lemmon set up the transition for these two from friends to lovers. It was a gradual transition that allowed us to get to know both characters better, but there was enough action that it didn’t feel slow. While the couple didn’t have traditional dates, there was still the impression that Connor was courting Faith.

After the transition to lovers, there were times when the story seemed to lack a little but for me. Connor and Faith spent a lot of time being intimate with each other, but the actual relationship building wasn’t always there. In this stage of the book, I related to and liked Connor much more than Faith. I spent a lot of time wanting to reach into the book and shake Faith because she didn’t seem to realize what a great guy she had.

There were several other times in the book that I was really frustrated with Faith for letting her own fears stand in the way and potentially hurt Connor. The conflict in the story felt a little manufactured, but I could understand where Connor was coming from. Even with my frustration with Faith, I rooted for her when she and Connor managed to sort things out to get their happy ending.

A Bad Boy for Christmas is the third book in a series and at first that doesn’t seem to be an issue with understanding the story or the other characters involved, but about halfway through the characters for the next book in the series are brought to the forefront and it seemed a little out of left field for me as I have not read the previous books in the series.

Overall, I enjoyed a Bad Boy for Christmas and am curious to read the earlier books in the series and well as titles coming out in the future.


Reviewer information can be found under the Tags section of the post on our site.
Profile Image for Tina "IRead2Escape".
1,475 reviews85 followers
July 22, 2016
Hotness Rating 3 out of 5

A Bad Boy for Christmas is the third book of the Second Chance series and possibly one of my favorites. Not only do we get to finally read the story of Faith and Connor, but we get to revisit some of our beloved characters from that previous books.

Faith is a sugar fiend who just came out of a relationship. She believes she's cursed in the love department. Faith has her own issues to work through. For instance, Faith believes in order to be independent she needs to do everything on her own, and if she has a man in her life she has to change her personality to fit him. Now that the scumbag ex is out of the picture she can see how much of herself she lost when she was with him, so she's afraid to give a new relationship a try which does not bode well for Connor.

You gotta love when the sexy bad boy is a genuine good guy. Connor is a great combination of the good and bad. He's just a funny guy, who loves to kid around. At the same time he has this seriousness about him that he has seen more than he would have like to have seen. Connor is a fun guy who loves to tease, and absolutely loves teasing Faith. And when it comes to erecting fences to keep love out Faith has nothing on him, however when he's ready to let those fences down he pretty much sets fire to them.

Oh my goodness, Faith and Connor are one hot couple and a lot of fun. Like any good romance we get the obstacles and the aha moment that makes it all worth it in the end. The teasing between Connor and Faith makes the story fun. This is a great holiday read that can be enjoyed even if it's July.

This book was provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Nancy Ku.
1,496 reviews17 followers
April 1, 2016
Loved it!

I finished this book last night and didn't feel I could write the review till this morning because I'm still in withdrawal. I just love Connor and Faith. Jessica never fails to take me right into the story...I just hate it when I have to leave....please hurry Jessica with Asher and Gloria's book. I know I have to find something else to read today....or I could just re-read this book...sounds like a plan to me..
Profile Image for Pat.
1,374 reviews44 followers
September 18, 2015
This is an amazing romance with honest characters, emotions and wonderful friends and family. Best of all it's a Christmas story. Keep the tissues handy, and lots of sweets. A Five Star read for me.
Full review on http://www.tbqsbookpalace.com.
Profile Image for Helyce.
578 reviews6 followers
October 1, 2015
Reviewed here first: http://smexybooks.com/2015/10/review-...

Favorite Quote: “Brave,” Faith kept her expression deadpan. “If my name was Cookie and I was a monster, I would not dye my hair blue.

I was already half in love with Connor McClain after reading book 2, Rescuing The Bad Boy and was so glad that the author was not going to make us wait for his book. This story is so, so much more than what the blurb reveals and I’m going to have a hard time not elaborating and spoiling because I really loved this story.

Connor and Faith had been dancing around their attraction in the previous book. For Faith, he was just some yummy eye candy she could stare at while working with her friend Sophie now that Sophie had moved her business office permanently into Pate Mansion. Connor, a long time friend of Sophie’s fiance, Donny Pate, spends a lot of time at the mansion as he does his work which involves a lot of landscaping to beautify the mansion grounds and babying his beautiful lavender plants which he keeps in an indoor greenhouse within the mansion. Connor has certainly noticed Faith as well, and he doesn’t hide his attraction in any way. They flirt often and they play off each other very well.

“Afternoon Cupcake.” […]

“Good afternoon to you, Beefcake.”


Faith is living alone for the first time in years and while she’s excited about having her independence, it’s taking some getting used to. She hears noises all the time and starts to second guess herself and her sanity. When she wakes one night to a scratching sound on her balcony she calls the police and the officer who arrives checks things out and finds nothing. The next day, while relaying the story in casual conversation with Sophie at work, both Connor and Donny overhear and Connor’s protective instincts go crazy. He decides then and there to be Faith’s personal body guard and insists on accompanying her home and checking things out for himself. What Connor finds is less than satisfactory in his book and he proceeds to decide to camp out on Faith’s couch until he’s installed better locks and a security system. What he doesn’t tell Faith is that he noticed scratches on her balcony doors. Someone was definitely trying to get in.

The stalker theme becomes the focus for a bit and provides a way for Faith and Connor to be in each others space for all their non-working hours and further fuels the ever growing attraction that they have for each other. We see Connor is a new light-while we always knew he was nurturing with his plants, we see that side of him with Faith as well. Faith is torn between wanting to express her independence and not have to count on anyone, especially a man, but at the same time she kind of likes having Connor in her space. It’s not long before Connor is stealing kisses, and Faith is totally into him, but-she’s sticking to her guns about not needing a man.

I loved the use of Faith’s stalker in this instance. Connor is so much the protector and his need to take care of Faith is evident. His laid back persona makes him a conundrum of sorts because he is filled with feeling and want and love. He holds back because he knows that Faith is not ready and well, Connor has his own past to deal with. As their chemistry gets stronger and they are drawn to each other, sparks start to fly, but Faith still holds herself away and Connor is not having it.

“I like you, Faith. I’m not doing anything with you I don’t want to do. And I don’t want to leave you.” He lifted his arms and dropped them as if helpless. “Either we do this thing, you in my bed, me in yours-all night-or we don’t, and I try to find a way to like you without burying my face between your legs and making you scream until you cry.”

I loved that things were not smooth sailing for our couple. They definitely have their ups and downs with Faith’s need to exert her independence and Connor not really knowing how to tell Faith about his past or his experiences in Afghanistan. Connor had only been back in town about year after serving overseas where he had come close to getting killed at one point. He’s living with the things he did and what he saw and he has some guilt where certain things are concerned. Naturally, Faith is curious…

Very serious now, he came closer and held her eyes with his. “Listen to me carefully. You don’t worry about boundaries with me. Not ever. You have something to tell me, you tell me, honey. I’m glad you know. It’s not easy to talk about. Not something I bring up in casual conversation. Reason being” -he put a fingertip in the tiny dent between her eyebrows and smoothed it out- ”I don’t want you to hurt for me. Not ever. I can handle this.”

Faith and Connor survive Thanksgiving, but it is their time during Christmas when they are snowed in due to a storm where it feels like all the pieces fall into place. They are in sync, their intimacy is magical and everything is perfect. As far as Faith is concerned it’s too perfect and at the first opportunity she lets her fear get the best of her and she starts putting up her walls once again.

The author uses a couple of predictable conflict scenarios here, but I still found Connor to be a unique hero who truly just wanted to do right by the woman he loved. He would literally do anything for her, including walking away even as his heart broke into little pieces. Of course, we are treated to a fantastic reconciliation and equally fantastic epilogue.

Previous couples have a good amount of page time and we are treated to a few scenes with Asher and Gloria who I’m sure will give us an explosive romance if the hints we were given in this book are any indication. I can’t wait!!!

My favorite book of the series so far, I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys small town romances. Connor is super sexy and he and Faith are wonderful together.
Profile Image for Lover of Romance.
3,712 reviews1,122 followers
December 30, 2016
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance Summary
Connor McClain, knows that he wants and he wants Faith Garret. But Faith is a skittish as a newborn colt around him and he knows that he will have to treat the situation very delicately. He slowly pursues her and he knows that something made her scared and nervous and not willing to pursue any type of commitment. At first, all Connor and Faith have is explosive chemistry  and whenever they are near each other they wish to explore it. But Faith and Connor both have painful pasts, and they have different goals. But with the holidays closing in on them, Connor is a never ending determined and patient man to win Faith's trust. And Faith, has her doubts that anything real can come between an affair with Connor. But the connection between them is powerful,  and Faith learns a lesson that will change her life and that of Connors....for the better!
The Hero
Connor McClain, spent four painful and harrowing years fighting in Afghanistan for his country. He craves the quiet life that he finds in Evergreen Cove. He only wants to find peace for himself and that of his best friend who saved his life. Connor can't deny what he feels for Faith. Connor is a character that will charm and delight you. Even though he has some inner demons from the horrors he saw in Afghanistan, we see such a fun side to him. He is the type of bad boy you just learn to love in the beginning. He has such charm and quite stubborn (which he needs to go after Faith). I enjoyed his tenacity and his closeness with his family.
The Heroine
Faith has never known the type of closeness or family ties that Connor has. Her mother, who raised her, wasn't the best of examples and only left Faith feeling empty and craving affection and love even more. She thought she had found everything in her ex, until he cheated on her and she closed herself off from anything with complete commitment. She fears the future at times, because she doesn't want to become like her mother. Faith isn't as hard as she wants to be. She has her own type of vulnerabilities and I liked that. She was far from perfect, made plenty of mistakes, but despite her uprbringing had a kind and warm heart.
Plot and Story Line
A Bad Boy For Christmas was such cute and adorable read, its definitely perfect to curl up by the fire with a steaming cup of tea. This pair really puts you in the ringer at times with a full array of emotions, I almost felt like a ping pong ball at times. But typical of Jessica Lemmon, you just fall in love pretty quickly with the characters. From the start, I was giggling and having a blast with these two. They have some great chemistry, and I they are pretty easy going with each other. I love the way they tease and flirt and play with each other. These two go through some hurdles, and some emotional set backs. But we also see the closeness and the intimacy that they learn together. Connor's family just loves Faith immediately, and boy they are a fun group of people they are. They can be meddlesome but in a very loving way. We see how they grow with each other over the holidays from after Halloween all the way to New Years.  This pair can make you laugh and make you growl in frustration and cry in moments you don't expect. Lemmon creates the perfect balance of alpha male bad boy and sweet and sensitive moments.
You can lean on me. I won't ever leave you alone. You can spend the rest of your life laughing and crying with me, and I will do my damnedest to make every minute with you from here on out just like our first Christmas together

The Cover
oh I love this cover...totally bad boy image here with the snowy backdrop. I like the scuff on his face.
Overall View
A Bad Boy For Christmas is a tasty holiday treat that will warm your heart and leave you with a smile on your face.
Click To Buy On Amazon
[foogallery id="25206"]

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Profile Image for Kahea.
2,261 reviews123 followers
September 23, 2015
***4.5 stars***


I really enjoyed both Bringing Home the Bad Boy and Rescuing the Bad Boy and I found that I already had a little book boyfriend crush going on for Connor McClain, and really how can you not? He’s ex military turned landscaper extraordinaire and is sexy as hell. So when it was announced that Connor was going to get his own book it really was a no brainer that I would be getting my greedy little hands on it and I’m so happy I did because Ms. Lemmon did not disappoint with Connor and Faith’s story and I have to be totally honest and say it is my favorite of the three!

A large part of the reason is because of Connor. He’s that practically perfect Alpha male. Sexy, dominate, sweet, considerate and just all around good guy who will drop everything for his friends and family. When he’s around he makes you melt with just how sweet he is and then makes you want to drop your panties. And though he is dominate, and can be a bit pushy, he still respects boundaries (most of the time) and truly just wants to help those he cares about.

Then there is Faith. As a whole I liked the woman and loved the fact that she didn’t totally curl up and die after catching her ex cheating. Her determination to stand on her own two feet is something that I found quite commendable, but as much as I wanted her to be an independent woman her inner debates over it started to grate on my nerves. But thankfully that was evened out by the fact that Faith is a caring, funny and witty woman who loves wine, so I gave her a break.

I loved how Connor and Faith’s journey to their HEA played out. Since they hadn’t known each other before like Evan and Charlie and Sofie and Donovan we were able to get know both of them as they got to know each other and really see just how well suited they were for each other without any past issues between them getting in the way. There were so many sweet, funny, sexy and flirty moments between them that after awhile I started to actually talk to my ereader and say “You’re dating. You’re together. Stop this nonsense already and admit it.”

Outside of Connor and Faith, I loved that we got to catch up with almost everyone (I was kinda hoping for Ant to make an appearance) and the bomb that was dropped makes me want Asher and Gloria’s book NOW! Then there is Connor’s family, who I think I may have adored just as much as him and hope that we get to see more of them as time goes on. Overall the writing was just as engaging as in the first two books, but there were times where I felt that the pacing was a bit slow and that there were a couple loose ends that I’d have liked to tidied up a bit, but in the end it didn’t take away from Connor and Faith’s HEA at all.

The Bottom Line: Loved Connor and Faith’s story and can’t wait for Asher and Gloria’s!


~ ARC received from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) in exchange for an honest review ~
Profile Image for Nikki.
278 reviews6 followers
September 29, 2015
A Bad Boy For Christmas
Release Date: September 29, 2015
Review copy provided by publisher

She did it again. I swear, I'm completely awed by this author...every damn time! I'm struggling to find the appropriate words to describe how so incredibly fantastic this book is. Can I just say, read it? Probably not right? You need a little more than that. So here goes....

Sweet baby Jesus, Connor McLain is everything that makes my heart skip a beat! He's all growly and protective, and so damn sweet that he makes my tummy flutter. He's struggling to find some semblance of normal after serving his country in the Middle East and from the betrayal of his ex girlfriend. This landscaper extraordinaire wants Faith Shelby something fierce. But the great thing about Connor is that he's patient and willing to slowly win her over. Playful smiles and teasing...sigh, I love him.

Faith is jaded, really jaded. She's been betrayed by her ex fiancé and raised in a home by a mother who views marriage like the antichrist. Believing that she's cursed to be alone forever, Faith isn't so sure that spending time with Connor is a good idea.

These two together are combustible! Once Faith lets down her walls, holy hell...feelin' hot, hot, hot! Connor has moves that could melt the panties off a nun...and me. While Faith is protecting her heart at all costs, she is more than happy to let Hunky Connor play her body and make it sing. Jessica Lemmon writes hot, sweaty, and oh so delicious sex. The scenes are beautifully written and truly grab at my heart.

There's so much going on in this story. So many emotions and growing pains. Ms. Lemmon has the ability to take simple words and knock you to your knees with the them. I can literally lose myself in her books. She writes characters that you can really care about and root for. And let me tell you, I fell hard for both Connor and Faith. I went on the emotional roller coaster with them. It left me dizzy and completely enthralled. When the climax of this story unfolded I held my breath, waiting to see how these beloved characters would find their way to a happily ever after. The fall. The fall was so gorgeous. When they stopped fighting what was so very clear, the fall made me sigh and my heart happy.

I'm not sure I've done this book justice. I love it so much. All the books in this series are very dear to me. I read a lot, like a whole lot. And not every author or book grabs at me. But every now and then I come across an author or book that are so unforgettable that I think about them often, like an old friend. Jessica Lemmon does that for me. She has pulled me into her written world and each time I start a new chapter, I find myself smiling. I can hardly wait for Asher and Gloria's book. I want to see that uber hot rock god, fall to his knees for Gloria. And I imagine her sharp tongue will make that happen!
Profile Image for S. Rutherford.
Author 4 books8 followers
December 18, 2015
One word: WOW!

I was SO not expecting this book to be so great. I've had bad luck getting books from grocery stores, that I half-expected this book to rank right up alongside the shoddy Lynsay Sands vampire series.

I WAS SO MISTAKEN!
And FINALLY proved wrong!

This book is written so very well, that I was surprised to find myself truly enthralled. It's part of a small series (expected, being a grocery store find), but you're not left confused as to what happened previously. I LOVED the way the writer spent time forming her sentences, getting just the right words together to clearly detail the story. It's not over the top, but it's not cut and dry either. She wrote a genuine, fantastic story with a wonderful use of description. VERY few authors even do that anymore.

I will say this, though, around halfway through the story, I began getting a little bored--but it wasn't the whole, "put the book down for life" bored. The book is about two people in a typical relationship, one who wants to go all the way while the other is anxious to do so. It's fluff, just a story of two people's lives as they come together. It's VERY nice change from all the supernatural, suspense, heightened-senses type of story. This is pure fluff, and it's a nice change. Just doesn't keep you enthralled all the time.

But it's an awesome story to read when you want to curl up with a good book and enjoy yourself. One of those happily ever after books that don't scare you halfway in, or keep you in suspense.

And the writer does a damn good job showing the characters emotions. She doesn't tell, which is saying something against most writers today. She writes "SHOW" very well. The way the Connor, a soldier, is trying to build a life after the war and how his emotions affect him around Faith, who's keeping him on hold because she's scared of falling in love again. The way it's written when Connor goes cold against Faith when she pushes him too far--very, VERY believable, and I finally get a good idea of what goes through a man's head when he does that to us.

There is good sex in this book too, and it's not trashy. It's written tastefully, while still getting the reader turned on. It's amazing how well the writer manages to achieve that.

This is a fantastic find, and definitely a book worth taking the time to read. It's not a "dirty little secret" type of book, so don't worry about being found out about that if you're worried. This book is definitely something to go back to later in the future, and I for sure will be keeping an eye out for Jessica Lemmon.

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..

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Damn, still can't get over this one!!!
Profile Image for Kristin.
1,033 reviews108 followers
November 24, 2015
Ahhh, Christmas themed books...  good or bad, they WILL get you into the mood for the holidays.  But what if a "holiday" story took you from Halloween all the way through to Christmas?  Wouldn't that be spectacular?  Well, "spectacular" is right here because Jessica Lemmon may have titled the book A Bad Boy Christmas but he's a "bad boy" for the last three months of the year.

I put "bad boy" in quotes because honestly, I didn't think Connor McClain was all that much of a bad boy.  He might have been rough around the edges and was the type of guy who preferred to work with his hands.  But just because he hadn't unpacked a box yet to properly move in and was allergic to organizing paperwork for his business, I wouldn't exactly classify the guy has bad boy material.  Heck, the guy was a landscaper.  He preferred the serenity of growing things after experiencing the horrors of war in Afghanistan.  The man carries a lot of war wounds mentally, too.

I guess compared to sweet homebody Faith Garrett, Connor would seem like trouble.  Faith is just getting over a horrible breakup and only wants a guy for a casual fling or hookup.  It's almost as if Faith is the guy in the relationship because Faith becomes so obstinate about not being a relationship with Connor and that's all Connor wants.

As I mentioned before, the book takes place over 3 months.  It was a slow build to the major climax of the story.   I personally thought we could have probably gotten there faster but that may have excluded some of the scenes setting up a major plot point towards the end of the book.  But since I didn't see this little plot thing happening along the way, I got impatient for the story to do something or go somewhere.  Apparently I was missing the point along the way.  I hate when that happens!

I think my middle of the road review reflects solely on my personal tastes, not on anything the story lacked.  If you look at the other ratings out there on Goodreads and Amazon, you can put together a fuller pictue of the book.  But I will say one huge thing about the book.  I need to decorate something, STAT!

Thank you, Ms. Lemmon.  Now I need to go put up my Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving gets here!



 

 Review appears on Addicted to Happily Ever After
Profile Image for Jaime Fiction Fangirls.
1,664 reviews153 followers
September 28, 2015
This is what a true romance looks like!! I honestly couldn't get enough of this book. It's rare to find a romance nowadays where there is no misunderstandings or miscommunications that continuously separate the lead couple. Where no outside sources, male or female, cause problems and where some ridiculously dramatic event doesn't force them apart. This is just a story about two people who are jaded by life and love trying to navigate their way through a relationship that they never expected and certainly aren't prepared for.

There was no immediate hook-up, no going from nothing but friendship to absolutely everything beyond it. The romance between Connor and Faith was organic and slow burning. It was perfection. There was push and pull from both of them but there was always honesty and patience.

This was my first holiday romance for 2015 and let me just say, what a way to start out my holiday reading. I seriously can't gush enough to do this book justice. I won't even try to touch on everything that happens because there is SO much, but some how so little at the same time.

Things you can expect while reading this:

A touching & heartbreaking military/veteran secondary storyline.
A very sexy Christmas stranded in a cabin during a snowstorm.

A strong presence of friendship weaved into the story but not overpowering it.

A roll your eyes kind of book surprise that is dealt with in the best way.

Lots of sweets and lots of legs on shoulders!!

My Favorite Quotes:

"The sight of Connor walking away from her had one very big advantage. Dat ass."

"I'm all in babe. I fell for you so hard, my head's spinning. I know it in my gut. The way I knew overseas when danger approached. That pit of my stomach certainty I can't deny."

"'There she goes again,' he muttered. His hands went to her pants where he flicked the stud of her jeans.
'Excuse me, what are you doing?'
He undid her zipper.
'Don't worry about it.'
She gestured to her half-full plate of food.
'I'm trying to eat.'
'So am I,' he said, tugging at her jeans."

*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Jenny - Book Sojourner.
1,493 reviews173 followers
December 14, 2015
Faith and Connor are already friends. Well, more like acquaintances with mutual friends. But their friendly terms have been building up a friendly, flirty banter, and with that a budding attraction. So when Faith finds herself in a bit of trouble, the former soldier's protective instincts kick in. And when a certain long-legged blonde and a buff landscaper find themselves increasingly in each other's company, eventually the sparks are going to fly.

Overall, I really enjoyed Faith and Connor's love story. Each had been hurt by exes in the past; Faith more recently, but both just as hurtfully. While their chemisty was clear and present, their issues (predominantly Faith's issues) still needed a lot of work. But watching the process of their relationship build was sweet and sexy. Quite sexy, to be sure. They also had a great honesty between them that I loved.

While I liked Faith and could sympathize with her fears, I loved Connor. There was something super endearing about him. Plus, the way he bantered, flirted, and simply romanced Faith was super sweet. There did come a point where Faith's reservations became a bit too annoying and unimproved. And I got a bit frustrated with her and the length it took for her to finally get it together. But she did grow and improve in her character, and I came around for her again. But Connor was a great match for her.

This was a great holiday read, encompassing Thanksgiving and Christmas. Faith and Connor had some great scenes together. I especially liked the sweet, sultry, and romantic snowed-in portion. The side characters were great additions (even for someone like me who hadn't read the previous books). My main negative was that it was a bit long, probably because of Faith's repetitive issues and some repetitive sex scenes. But overall, an enjoyable read. And the icing on the cake was the epilogue. I absolutely loved the epilogue and how everything pulled together for Faith and Connor.
Profile Image for Melody  May (What I'm Reading).
1,488 reviews24 followers
September 30, 2015
Posted on What I'm Reading

You gotta love when the sexy beefcake is a genuine good guy with a little bad boy inside him, a perfect combination if you ask me. Yep, Connor is a great combination, but I do have a soft for the guy since The Return of the Bad Boy. He's just a funny guy, who loves to kid around. At the same time he has this seriousness about him that he has seen more than he would have like to have seen. Connor is a fun guy who loves to tease, and absolutely loves teasing Faith. Now Faith is a sugar fiend who just came out a relationship, and starting to believe she's cursed in the love department.

Anyway, Connor has a crush on Faith and Faith doesn't want to get into a new relationship. Man that totally sucks for Connor. However, the guy is persistent, and not in the annoying way more like I will be here if you need me kind. Faith has her own issues. For instance, Faith believes in order to be independent she needs to do everything on her own, and if she has a man in her life she has to change her personality to fit him. Okay, if you have to do that, the guy is not right for you. When she was with Michael (douche bag ex), she wasn't herself, so she's afraid to be with anyone else. This fear plays a huge part of the book. She keeps a fence up when she's with Connor. Connor does the same, but his fence is a little easier to climb than Faith.

Oh my goodness, Faith and Connor are one hot couple in A Bad Boy For Christmas and a lot of fun. Both start to open up to one another as they draw closer. However, they do hit a snag. They both need to have epiphany before they could truly come together. The teasing between Connor and Faith makes the story fun. It's a great holiday read.

Copy provided by Forever Romance
Profile Image for TeriLyn.
1,385 reviews441 followers
August 29, 2016

5 "That sounded like an offer..." Stars

Coming as the third book in Jessica Lemmon's Second Chance series, A Bad Boy for Christmas tells the sweet and simple, friends-to-lovers story with another of her signature alphas and difficult but lovable heroines. Set in Evergreen Cove like the first two books but immersed in the holidays this book is heart warming, sentimental, and fun. A twist on how we learn to let go and discover ourselves while falling in love with someone unexpected.

Connor and Faith are immersed in their day to day lives simply existing. Surrounded by close friends coupling together and starting new lives when Faith is seemingly in danger Connor is the natural choice to protect her. What was, from the first two books, a fun and flirtatious only friendship morphs into one much more meaningful for them both and eventually that road leads to even more.

Jessica Lemmon's stories continually remind of Kristen Ashley books. While each write very differently in unique and interesting styles their contemporary romance story telling is so very good for the reading soul. Lemmon makes it easy to become engrossed in her world of Evergreen Cove in this series. Each and every new main character pair and the recurrence of past characters present a great reading escape. I look forward to more of her catalog of stories.

To read A Bad Boy for Christmas as a stand alone would be perfectly acceptable however I would strongly suggest not missing out on the two stories that preclude it.

Second Chance Series:
Book 1: Bringing Home the Bad Boy
Book 2: Rescuing the Bad Boy
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