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The Snowy Springs Holiday Romances #2
Rebel Without A Claus
I’ve finally gotten a handle on my life. Sure, it’s taken into my 30s to get here, but I’ve finally got all my candy canes in a row. A job I love, a house I adore, and a town that still takes my breath away every holiday season.
Let’s just forget all of the things that had to go wrong for me to get here. In fact, that’s just what I’m doing when Joy Martin waltzes back into town for the holidays. I’m surprised by how much hurts to see the first girl to break my heart—and the last.
Snowy Springs is a small town, but I’m determined to steer clear of the heartbreaker until the holidays pass and she leaves. That is, until a Santa Claus crisis at the library gives me the choice of groveling to Joy for help or disappointing a terrifying group of sugar-high children. And what she asks for in return? I have a feeling nothing could prepare me for what comes next.
Get ready for another Snowy Springs holiday romance! The Snowy Springs holiday romances are fluffy, fun, and quick reads, complete with bad Christmas puns and merrily-ever-afters.
Let’s just forget all of the things that had to go wrong for me to get here. In fact, that’s just what I’m doing when Joy Martin waltzes back into town for the holidays. I’m surprised by how much hurts to see the first girl to break my heart—and the last.
Snowy Springs is a small town, but I’m determined to steer clear of the heartbreaker until the holidays pass and she leaves. That is, until a Santa Claus crisis at the library gives me the choice of groveling to Joy for help or disappointing a terrifying group of sugar-high children. And what she asks for in return? I have a feeling nothing could prepare me for what comes next.
Get ready for another Snowy Springs holiday romance! The Snowy Springs holiday romances are fluffy, fun, and quick reads, complete with bad Christmas puns and merrily-ever-afters.
90 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 13, 2021
19 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Bryce Oakley
24 books250 followersBryce grew up in the mountains of Colorado with a taste for adventure and a head full of clouds. She never grew out of either. She lives in Denver with her partner, two adorable rescue dogs, and a very opinionated cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
December 22, 2021
3.50 Stars. This was a sweet holiday read. I really enjoyed the first book of this series, Baking Spirits Bright, but didn’t connect with this one as much. The writing was still there, Oakley has a really comfortable style, but I’m not the biggest second-chance romance fan so that may have more to do with it. This story also felt a bit short to me. I didn’t think there was enough time to really build the romantic spark I was looking for. The first story has a lot of meat to it and almost felt like a full book length, whereas this felt like a short novella. However, this was still a nice story and it was fun to see Beth from the first book. While I would personally recommend Baking Spirits Bright over this one, this book would be good for people who are looking for a sweet holiday story with no angst.
December 15, 2021
A perfect Christmas novella! Am I exaggerating? No. This is on the short side at only 90 pages but it was everything I want to read during the holiday season. It left me happy and wanting more of this series and these characters. It's full of humor and heart and I highly recommend!
Ok, I read this at 3:30 in the morning after being woken up by some barking dogs but I still stand by it.
Ok, I read this at 3:30 in the morning after being woken up by some barking dogs but I still stand by it.
December 24, 2021
Rekindling high school love.
This Christmas novella is a sequel to Bryce Oakley's other Christmas novel, Baking Spirits Bright. Stella, the main character here appeared in the earlier book as a best friend character and now it's Stella's turn to have a shot at romance when her high school sweetheart, Joy returns home.
I didn't connect with this one as much as Baking Spirits Bright, even though it's a sweet romance too. It's a personal preference really because I don't like people to get more affected by a past relationship than they ought to be so I ended up rolling my eyes at Stella. I know it's meant to be exaggerated but instead of a cute silly romance like the other book, I just thought it was silly silly.
Like I said, this is matter of preference. This book is light and sweet and really short. And it's on Kindle Unlimited. I think most people would enjoy it.
This Christmas novella is a sequel to Bryce Oakley's other Christmas novel, Baking Spirits Bright. Stella, the main character here appeared in the earlier book as a best friend character and now it's Stella's turn to have a shot at romance when her high school sweetheart, Joy returns home.
I didn't connect with this one as much as Baking Spirits Bright, even though it's a sweet romance too. It's a personal preference really because I don't like people to get more affected by a past relationship than they ought to be so I ended up rolling my eyes at Stella. I know it's meant to be exaggerated but instead of a cute silly romance like the other book, I just thought it was silly silly.
Like I said, this is matter of preference. This book is light and sweet and really short. And it's on Kindle Unlimited. I think most people would enjoy it.
December 18, 2021
Super quick read with a lot a heart. It’s a second chance Christmas romance and I think it’s super cute.
I can just picture the snow people scene, I’d love to do something like that. If only we’d get some real snow for a while here.
So the story, it’s a second chance romance between high school sweethearts. Seventeen years after Breaking Stella’s heart Jou waltzes back into Snowy Springs and back into her heart. It’s silly and fun with a surprising amount of depth for such a short novella (just about 90 pages)
I can just picture the snow people scene, I’d love to do something like that. If only we’d get some real snow for a while here.
So the story, it’s a second chance romance between high school sweethearts. Seventeen years after Breaking Stella’s heart Jou waltzes back into Snowy Springs and back into her heart. It’s silly and fun with a surprising amount of depth for such a short novella (just about 90 pages)
December 18, 2021
Sequel/Spinoff to Baking Spirits Bright. Kindle Unlimited.
Stella is Beth's best friend from the first book. She's been pining for her highschool love, Joy, ever since she up and left for College and broke Stella's heart. 17 years later she's back, and looking as hot as ever.
Second chance romances can be tricky. The tiptoeing around characters do before the penultimate clash about what happened back when. This sort of did that, so that's why not 4 stars, for me. But it was still a very solid and entertaining story... But I did think a few things were left unanswered.
Overall, I enjoyed their dating antics and heat between them, I just wanted a bit more talk, instead of surprises. The internal monologue of Stella sassing about had me snort-laughing many times.
Check it out!
Stella is Beth's best friend from the first book. She's been pining for her highschool love, Joy, ever since she up and left for College and broke Stella's heart. 17 years later she's back, and looking as hot as ever.
Second chance romances can be tricky. The tiptoeing around characters do before the penultimate clash about what happened back when. This sort of did that, so that's why not 4 stars, for me. But it was still a very solid and entertaining story... But I did think a few things were left unanswered.
Overall, I enjoyed their dating antics and heat between them, I just wanted a bit more talk, instead of surprises. The internal monologue of Stella sassing about had me snort-laughing many times.
Check it out!
December 25, 2021
4.5 - I feel like Bryce Oakley really knows how to write a romance novella. Her characters are fleshed out, have enough of a backstory to make their actions in the story make sense, and they have believable chemistry with one another. But things don’t get overly complex or feel too rushed, which is impressive considering this was only 90 pages.
This is a lovely second chance romance between two women who were together in high school but broke up when one of them left town. Stella stayed in town while Joy went off to find herself. Fourteen years later when Joy comes home for Christmas the two of them reunite and rekindle their lost love.
I loved seeing these two characters get to know one another after such a long time apart. Also, it was cute to hear them reminiscing about their high school romance. This is just a short and sweet sapphic Christmas romance. Definitely check it out.
This is a lovely second chance romance between two women who were together in high school but broke up when one of them left town. Stella stayed in town while Joy went off to find herself. Fourteen years later when Joy comes home for Christmas the two of them reunite and rekindle their lost love.
I loved seeing these two characters get to know one another after such a long time apart. Also, it was cute to hear them reminiscing about their high school romance. This is just a short and sweet sapphic Christmas romance. Definitely check it out.
March 11, 2022
Lovely story, a novella so top marks is 4*s. Hey, don't have a go at me... I don't make the rules. (I think you probably did! Ed)
December 14, 2021
A second chance romance that will fill you with holiday magic and bliss.
Bryce Oakley never disappoints with her stories. The second chance romance for Stella and Joy will have you laughing, swooning and smiling so loud. Beth, Ari and Jenny Amp up the fun. This holiday season is so much better thanks to the stories from magnificent writers like Bryce. Enjoyed this one so very much.
Bryce Oakley never disappoints with her stories. The second chance romance for Stella and Joy will have you laughing, swooning and smiling so loud. Beth, Ari and Jenny Amp up the fun. This holiday season is so much better thanks to the stories from magnificent writers like Bryce. Enjoyed this one so very much.
December 16, 2022
3.5. A cute, festive, second-chance romance. I'm a fan of the second-chance trope, so this was a hit for me. If you're looking for a quick and very Christmassy read, the Snowy Springs novellas are a great choice!
December 25, 2021
Second chance sweet romance.
December 18, 2021
I really enjoyed this second installment in this Christmas novella series. It was short, sweet, and to the point. It did leave me wanting more but that’s to be expected in a novella. This second chance romance had me wanting to know all about Stella and Joy, but gave just enough to be consistent with a novella. All the characters in Snowy Springs showed up for this one as well.
January 17, 2022
A second chance with your first love
Sometimes you just can't fight your feelings. Stella never really got over her ex who shows up in town for the holidays. Joy plans to show Stella she wants to try again and make a commitment. I really like the characters of Snowy Springs. Beth and Jenny are great friends to have. There are some cute Christmas pranks and a lot of decorating.
Sometimes you just can't fight your feelings. Stella never really got over her ex who shows up in town for the holidays. Joy plans to show Stella she wants to try again and make a commitment. I really like the characters of Snowy Springs. Beth and Jenny are great friends to have. There are some cute Christmas pranks and a lot of decorating.
December 20, 2021
3.5
This was cute. I didn't enjoy it as much as I enjoyed the first one but that's probably because the first one had baking in it and this one doesn't. This one is about Stella who has kind of sworn off romance for the last almost 20 years after her high school girlfriend left. Well guess who's back? Said high school girlfriend Joy is back in town for the holidays and maybe forever.
While I really enjoy like childhood friends to lovers or the trope of characters who knew each other when they were younger and then get together later as adults, I really wish authors would include some sort of prologue or preemptive chapter that has just a snippet from the POV from when they were younger. Sometimes when you have characters who already know each other you lose some of the magic and interest that you would from characters who are just meeting for the first time. I do think that this book would have been exponentially better had we gotten a glimpse of Joy and Stella as love struck teenagers instead of just their kind of random interspersed memories.
White lesbian MCs, sapphic relationship
This was cute. I didn't enjoy it as much as I enjoyed the first one but that's probably because the first one had baking in it and this one doesn't. This one is about Stella who has kind of sworn off romance for the last almost 20 years after her high school girlfriend left. Well guess who's back? Said high school girlfriend Joy is back in town for the holidays and maybe forever.
While I really enjoy like childhood friends to lovers or the trope of characters who knew each other when they were younger and then get together later as adults, I really wish authors would include some sort of prologue or preemptive chapter that has just a snippet from the POV from when they were younger. Sometimes when you have characters who already know each other you lose some of the magic and interest that you would from characters who are just meeting for the first time. I do think that this book would have been exponentially better had we gotten a glimpse of Joy and Stella as love struck teenagers instead of just their kind of random interspersed memories.
White lesbian MCs, sapphic relationship
December 24, 2022
A charming holiday romance
Stella and Joy are sweet and sexy together. Their second chance at love is written well. You buy their connection from the off despite Stella's lingering heartbreak and emotional scars from when she and Joy busted up in high school.
Out of the two Snowy Springs Holiday Romance books, this is the better story. Its more fully realized in every sense.
While I gave this three stars, its actually 3.5 stars; Amazon doesn't allow half stars. A definite recommendation.
Stella and Joy are sweet and sexy together. Their second chance at love is written well. You buy their connection from the off despite Stella's lingering heartbreak and emotional scars from when she and Joy busted up in high school.
Out of the two Snowy Springs Holiday Romance books, this is the better story. Its more fully realized in every sense.
While I gave this three stars, its actually 3.5 stars; Amazon doesn't allow half stars. A definite recommendation.
December 21, 2021
A fun book that runs concurrent to the first book. At 90 pages, it felt a little too short for me, which is why I liked the first one better. But still am enjoyable holoday read
November 4, 2024
Hallmark Christmas Sapphic
It was a very quick easy sapphic hallmark Christmasy read that I enjoyed. It was a good pick me up start to the holidays
It was a very quick easy sapphic hallmark Christmasy read that I enjoyed. It was a good pick me up start to the holidays
December 25, 2024
This was another cute quick read. A little rushed, but damn do I want a story of new-to-queer-love Jenny and Holly 😍
December 28, 2021
Another holiday novella put on kindle-unlimited by the author in Dec. 2021. This is the second in The Snowy Springs series and comes in at 90 pages. It helps that Oakley has already created a small Christmas oriented town in Colorado. This one is a second chance romance. Stella Torsney loves her town, her house and her jobs as a librarian. She hasn’t had a serious romance since her high school girlfriend left town for college and to explore the world. But this Christmas Joy Martin is back and seems to want to reconnect. This is light and fun with a few less holiday puns than the first in the series. It does have some fun hijinks and made me want to build a snowman.
December 18, 2021
Hilarious and made me laugh out loud several times. I love how witty Bryce Oakley is and this sweet novella series was exactly what I needed this week. Loved it!
February 25, 2022
This was incredibly cute! I don’t usually give so many stars for a story without a lot of conflict, but it was too adorable not to just love it completely.
September 2, 2025
3,25 ⭐️
so cuteeeee
so cuteeeee
December 15, 2021
A Sweet Christmas Story!
This is the second installment in “The Snowy Springs Holiday Romance” series and it was just as good if not better than the first. This was Stella’s holiday story. Trying to decorate her home to win the neighborhood holiday decorating domination, she notices that her neighbor who just rented part of his house as an AirBNB to Joy. Her ex from high school. One she has taken seventeen years to get over how she just left her. And now she is back. This story unfolds as Joy tries to get Stella to calm down and just relax. Stella is not going to give in but can she really hold off because Joy is hotter, fitter and sexier now. Joy knows she has to win Stella’s trust. Stella only wants to know why is she back and Joy doesn’t want to answer that yet. This was such a sweet holiday story. Bryce Oakley is just that good.
This is the second installment in “The Snowy Springs Holiday Romance” series and it was just as good if not better than the first. This was Stella’s holiday story. Trying to decorate her home to win the neighborhood holiday decorating domination, she notices that her neighbor who just rented part of his house as an AirBNB to Joy. Her ex from high school. One she has taken seventeen years to get over how she just left her. And now she is back. This story unfolds as Joy tries to get Stella to calm down and just relax. Stella is not going to give in but can she really hold off because Joy is hotter, fitter and sexier now. Joy knows she has to win Stella’s trust. Stella only wants to know why is she back and Joy doesn’t want to answer that yet. This was such a sweet holiday story. Bryce Oakley is just that good.
December 15, 2021
Loved this book
So much that I finished it in one sitting. I can’t wait to read the first book in this series and I look forward to more new titles in it. I would love to see another book featuring Stella and Joy so we can find out what happens to them while getting another book. Maybe the next one can be about Beth and Ari while Starry and Joy play a co-starring role like Beth did in this one.
So much that I finished it in one sitting. I can’t wait to read the first book in this series and I look forward to more new titles in it. I would love to see another book featuring Stella and Joy so we can find out what happens to them while getting another book. Maybe the next one can be about Beth and Ari while Starry and Joy play a co-starring role like Beth did in this one.
December 18, 2021
Funny and Precious
I love the humor Bryce puts in her writing and especially this story. Even the tense situations are delivered with a comic punch. Love that because then I can relax knowing everything will work its way out. I don't enjoy a sense of panic that maybe the ending is crappy. This one isn't and I don't think any Oakley book is missing a happy ever after. Yay.
I highly recommend this fun, well written Christmas story.....a nice quick one.
I love the humor Bryce puts in her writing and especially this story. Even the tense situations are delivered with a comic punch. Love that because then I can relax knowing everything will work its way out. I don't enjoy a sense of panic that maybe the ending is crappy. This one isn't and I don't think any Oakley book is missing a happy ever after. Yay.
I highly recommend this fun, well written Christmas story.....a nice quick one.
December 25, 2021
4 stars. Loved this one much more than book one. It’s a second chance romance and I am a sucker for those. Stella and Joy are wonderful characters and I enjoyed watching them fall in love with each other all over again. They had great chemistry and there were some really cute banter between them that was a lot of fun. I really like Oakley’s writing. This was sweet and extremely fluffy which is just what I needed on this Christmas day.
December 13, 2021
And somehow, the series gets cuter
Adorable internal monologs can comeboff a bit precious or a bit twee, but Oakley really hit the mark here. Both her main characters are frustrating and maddening, and you want nothing but good things for them forever. These two books have been perfect Christmas reads, and I hope there's more to come.
Adorable internal monologs can comeboff a bit precious or a bit twee, but Oakley really hit the mark here. Both her main characters are frustrating and maddening, and you want nothing but good things for them forever. These two books have been perfect Christmas reads, and I hope there's more to come.
December 27, 2021
Old flames together!
A sweet holiday story about Stella who is trying to out decorate her neighbor for Christmas. Her former high school girlfriend Joy returns seventeen years later. Joy is ready to rekindle, but is Stella? Their road back to together is full of the quirkiness we've come to admire from Bryce. It's a cute holiday read!
A sweet holiday story about Stella who is trying to out decorate her neighbor for Christmas. Her former high school girlfriend Joy returns seventeen years later. Joy is ready to rekindle, but is Stella? Their road back to together is full of the quirkiness we've come to admire from Bryce. It's a cute holiday read!
December 15, 2021
How much can you grow up?
Two teenagers, graduate, and one needs to leave to discover herself. Hard pill to swallow after awhile, but she returns. Now what? How much can you mature, how much do you want her back? Read and enjoy this delightful Christmas story. Enjoy!
Two teenagers, graduate, and one needs to leave to discover herself. Hard pill to swallow after awhile, but she returns. Now what? How much can you mature, how much do you want her back? Read and enjoy this delightful Christmas story. Enjoy!
December 17, 2021
Fun Christmas story
A quick, fun lovely story that proves that true love will conquer time! All those who wander are not lost!
A quick, fun lovely story that proves that true love will conquer time! All those who wander are not lost!
December 18, 2021
very sweet little novella!! the last of this semester's stress reads!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews