What do you think?
Rate this book
Second Chance Christmas
Holiday wishes can come true…
If they work together.
Charlie Bussey is ready to fight the corporation threatening to shut down the local animal shelter—she just didn’t expect the enemy would be her former best friend, Blake Bryant. To adopt his newly discovered niece, Blake needs this property deal to succeed. But when he discovers Charlie is his niece’s child advocate, can he help his childhood crush…and gain a family for Christmas?
From Love Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
If they work together.
Charlie Bussey is ready to fight the corporation threatening to shut down the local animal shelter—she just didn’t expect the enemy would be her former best friend, Blake Bryant. To adopt his newly discovered niece, Blake needs this property deal to succeed. But when he discovers Charlie is his niece’s child advocate, can he help his childhood crush…and gain a family for Christmas?
From Love Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published September 27, 2022
24 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Betsy St. Amant
47 books875 followersBetsy St. Amant Haddox is the author of almost thirty romance novels and novellas. She resides in north Louisiana with her hubby, two teenagers, and one furry schnauzer-toddler. Betsy has a bachelor of arts in communication and loves teaching and speaking on the craft of writing. When she’s not suffering through a CrossFit workout or baby talking her dog, she can usually be found in the vicinity of an iced coffee. She writes frequently for iBelieve, a devotional site for women, and offers author coaching and editing services through Storyside LLC.
also published under Betsy Ann St. Amant
also published under Betsy Ann St. Amant
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 14, 2022
A nice balance between angst, humour and toe-curls with lots of Christmassy goodness throughout. Recipe for the perfect holiday read, in my opinion. Especially since we have dogs galore -- homeless ones that need to be rescued yet again. Talk about pulling at a reader's heartstrings and setting up the hero to be the bad guy. :-)
Only he's not! Blake has valid reasons for charging ahead despite the emotional turmoil he's leaving in his wake. Complications ensue when Charlie becomes involved. These two have history. Best friends on the cusp of becoming so much more until Blake left town...and Charlie with a broken heart. Sniffle. But 'tis the season of miracles and St. Amant provides a sleighful of 'em to the delight of her readers.
A captivating holiday second chance romance.
https://bestreads-kav.blogspot.com/20...
Only he's not! Blake has valid reasons for charging ahead despite the emotional turmoil he's leaving in his wake. Complications ensue when Charlie becomes involved. These two have history. Best friends on the cusp of becoming so much more until Blake left town...and Charlie with a broken heart. Sniffle. But 'tis the season of miracles and St. Amant provides a sleighful of 'em to the delight of her readers.
A captivating holiday second chance romance.
https://bestreads-kav.blogspot.com/20...
November 25, 2022
What a cute story! I had hopes for the ending—so glad it did end how I envisioned it. The story really gave me a glimpse into the foster care system & CASA….very interesting!
I hope there are more stories about Tulip Mound!
I hope there are more stories about Tulip Mound!
January 28, 2023
Blake was to awkward and annoying for me, the book kind of dragged a bit too.
November 23, 2022
I felt like I was watching a movie instead of reading a book. I loved the characters and the story and the dogs!
December 23, 2025
To be honest, it doesn't feel like a Christmas novel, since the goals aren't Christmas-related. But I love Betsy St. Amant's writing -- and this plot has all the feels! Charlie (the female protagonist) is giving back to foster teens, since she is also a foster kid. Meanwhile, Blake who had a rough upbringing of his own, is returning home to claim his niece.
Also, I really admired how St. Amant doesn't sugarcoat a foster kid's life. Even when they are adults, the mistrust is still there. We might be redeemed and be able to give back -- but the hurt still remains.
On the upside, there is a huge and VERY RELATABLE theme of trusting God. There was a point when the female protagonist was looking at losing everything -- in a very real, heartbreaking way. But the thing is: THIS IS LIFE. And this is the stuff of Betsy St. Amant. Even as a Love Inspired 60K novel, she still squeezes in the gutsy theme of "Trust God --- I know it hurts, TRUST GOD ANYWAY."
To really dig into one's soul, one of the major settings is an animal shelter with cuddly puppies!! So endearing! Makes me want to volunteer -- or buy a fluffball of my own!
If you're looking for a cheerful Christmas romance, this isn't it. But if you're looking for a novel that keeps Christ in CHRISTmas, 'tis the novel for it!
Also, I really admired how St. Amant doesn't sugarcoat a foster kid's life. Even when they are adults, the mistrust is still there. We might be redeemed and be able to give back -- but the hurt still remains.
On the upside, there is a huge and VERY RELATABLE theme of trusting God. There was a point when the female protagonist was looking at losing everything -- in a very real, heartbreaking way. But the thing is: THIS IS LIFE. And this is the stuff of Betsy St. Amant. Even as a Love Inspired 60K novel, she still squeezes in the gutsy theme of "Trust God --- I know it hurts, TRUST GOD ANYWAY."
To really dig into one's soul, one of the major settings is an animal shelter with cuddly puppies!! So endearing! Makes me want to volunteer -- or buy a fluffball of my own!
If you're looking for a cheerful Christmas romance, this isn't it. But if you're looking for a novel that keeps Christ in CHRISTmas, 'tis the novel for it!
November 15, 2022
Great book
September 28, 2022
I really enjoyed this book!
December 20, 2022
Hooo, boy.
First, we have Charlie, who was a foster kid with the Jolies in Tulip Mound. Nowadays, they've decided to have FOUR girls in their care, which means they have to 'become official' and call themselves 'Tulip House' (and incorporate?), because ain't nobody nowhere ever had more than one foster child as just a normal family. ((??!?!?!?!))
Don't. Even. Ask.
Anyhow, Charlie is... semi-sorta employed. She's a volunteer CASA worker (legal advocate for foster kids) which is an non-paying job. She's also a volunteer at the local dog shelter (also a non-paying job). She also bakes and takes the bake goods to the local market - which apparently runs year-round, unlike most communities that have markets in the growing months. She also takes them to the café to sell. How she can have an apartment, pay bills, have a car, and keep a pet on this pretty much part-time income, we're not told. MOST of the book, she isn't working, so it makes little sense, but apparently she treats herself to pancakes at the café often, so there's also no tight budget.
Years ago, she was best friends with Blake. He was a Sophomore to her Freshman, and yet in spite of their being in TOTALLY DIFFERENT CLASSES, they were voted 'most likely to end up together'... which is a *HUGE* driving point in this book. And... how about no? The 'Most Likely' lists don't cross classes, hello.
There are some GLARING problems with this story.
But it gets even more complicated, mostly because the author says so. Blake came from a bad home (dad smashing booze bottles for unexplained reasons, big sister in jail for unexplained reasons... mostly because the author says so), so Blake leaves home for college in the city, far from his dysfunctional family. Okay, but then there's a weird fight mid-college in which the dad kicks Blake out (?! He's AWAY LIVING AT COLLEGE, HELLO!!) and Blake freaks out and goes to Charlie, and begs her to come away with him.
Charlie says no, because 1) she's living at home with the feels for her family/community, 2) she's going to the local CC to... become nothing full-time, and 3) he's IN COLLEGE and it's not time for that, yet... and then she's devastated when he leaves. Not just goes to back to college, but we're talking no texts, letters, phone number changed, FREAKIN' NAME CHANGED...
... drastic, much?
Anyhow, turns out his jail-bunny sister got knocked up in the clink (!?) and had a baby 13 years ago. And NOW he's just found out that he's an uncle. Except we don't know why it should come up to him now - his sister isn't dead, daddy isn't dead... the author just SAYS so, so... *voila!* Unknown niece announced for book purposes.
Of course the niece is not just anywhere, the niece OBVIOUSLY would be placed in Tulip House under Charlie, her CASA worker... his old flame in his old tiny small town. Because... divine fate?
Also HIGHLY contrived, the big-box coffee shop he works for wants to open a branch in the tiny village of Tulip Mound, and sends him there to look into a property that (.............wait for it...........) is the very property the dog shelter is currently renting. (((sigh.)))
So he's in town to 1) close Charlie's pet project, 2) close his niece's pet project, 3) meet and convince his niece he wants to adopt her, 4) return to church-going (because the guy got *NO* living faith... and STILL has no living faith, not even AFTER the return to church-going), and 5) to fall in love with Charlie all over and have the happily ever after we all know is coming, we just don't know what imaginary local job the author will pull out of her hiney for him to fall into.
It gets WORSE THAN THAT, too, if you can believe it. Because the author has made Blake allergic to dogs. And not only does Charlie have a dog, but Tori has a dog that's her favorite(est) in the entire, whole, expansive, total universe, and BOTH of them are always at the shelter or at a shelter fundraiser of some sort or other, so Blake spends nearly the ENTIRE book red-eyed, sneezing, congested, and miserable whilst trying to NOT come off as inept, villainous, insincere or hiding anything. ((wink, wink.))
Also as an aside, Charlie's dog Cooper is mostly peripheral - she either leaves him in a crate somewhere or is ignoring the hell out of him the majority of the time. She's... hardly a puppy mama in this book. Which doesn't jive with the fact that she's baking doggie treats and raising doggie funds and ALL THINGS DAWG for every pooch in christendom BUT Cooper.
Oh, yeah, this is a GRRRRRReat read!
And of course Blake complicates everything by NOT telling Charlie why he's in town, NOT telling Tori he's her family, NOT explaining why his company feels a small town with a breakfast cafe, a bakery, AND a doughnut shop needs an additional coffee shop (← I can't figure this out, either). And Charlie makes a mess by NOT telling the girls about the failing shelter and NOT telling the girls about villainous Blake and NOT telling Blake she's still hurt that he left/changed name/cancelled phone/cut her off... So there's all sorts of hidden agendas that lead to D.R.A.M.A fabricated to add pages to the book.
So it's 'why is he coming around' and 'why can't you guys get back together' and 'why are you destroying our doggie shelter' and 'why is this called Love, Inspired when it's not all that inspirational and there's NOTHING romantic about a nose snotting, tears streaming, overly- secretive hero' for most of the book.
By the way, HOW IN HADES does her phone accidentally fall INTO his car without her noticing? That's... a long way for a phone to jump, considering she never so much as stuck a hand in the window. She was also standing hands on hips moments before, and then high-fiving teens as he's sitting in said car... NO. CELLPHONE. EVEN. OUT. for her to drop *IN* his car. Author taking liberties, much?
I also don't understand the whole CASA thing - how can a volunteer be held to a legal commitment? The very word 'volunteer' indicates that it's at the discretion of the person donating their time/efforts.
The timelining for this thing is a hot mess, too. On pg 180, Blake & Charlie agree in the morning to tell Tori about his being her family 'at the café that afternoon for a snack'. We cut away to another scene, sometime later in the afternoon when the teens playing UNO and crunching candy canes, and then Charlie & Mom have this whole 'open his last gift all those years ago' thing... then Rachel comes over and there's the 'we can't save the shelter' thing, which turns into a major sit-down with the teens over the failing shelter and buying of the property... So much for 'at the café that afternoon for a snack'! ARGH!!
And the solution at the end is a giant eyeroll - "Let's COMBINE the big box coffee shop with the dog shelter! Because dogs and coffee go SO WELL together, dontchaknow?! And because it's a *new* venture, we'll renovate the WHOLE SHELTER and give a new office to Rachel while offering DOG themed/named drinks, at no cost to the privately funded shelter...
...said no big box, big city CEO, ever.
And naturally, Blake gets to manage the combined properties. Because lollipop world ending, right?
Ooh, oooh, but *WAIT!!!* It can't end without any WOKENESS in it, because this isn't just 'Love, Inspired', it's Love, Inspired circa 2022! So there has to be a *gender reveal* at the end!! I. Am. NOT. Kidding. You. Except that we all knew thirteen-year old Tori was a girl from moment one. THAT'S SUCH A RIDICULOUS way to tell your uncle you're over your diva self and ready to be adopted now, hello. (((!!!!!!!!))) I wanted to throw the book at a wall.
NOT. OKAY.
So while it could've been a cute storyline,
it was over-encumbered and badly written, alas.
First, we have Charlie, who was a foster kid with the Jolies in Tulip Mound. Nowadays, they've decided to have FOUR girls in their care, which means they have to 'become official' and call themselves 'Tulip House' (and incorporate?), because ain't nobody nowhere ever had more than one foster child as just a normal family. ((??!?!?!?!))
Don't. Even. Ask.
Anyhow, Charlie is... semi-sorta employed. She's a volunteer CASA worker (legal advocate for foster kids) which is an non-paying job. She's also a volunteer at the local dog shelter (also a non-paying job). She also bakes and takes the bake goods to the local market - which apparently runs year-round, unlike most communities that have markets in the growing months. She also takes them to the café to sell. How she can have an apartment, pay bills, have a car, and keep a pet on this pretty much part-time income, we're not told. MOST of the book, she isn't working, so it makes little sense, but apparently she treats herself to pancakes at the café often, so there's also no tight budget.
Years ago, she was best friends with Blake. He was a Sophomore to her Freshman, and yet in spite of their being in TOTALLY DIFFERENT CLASSES, they were voted 'most likely to end up together'... which is a *HUGE* driving point in this book. And... how about no? The 'Most Likely' lists don't cross classes, hello.
There are some GLARING problems with this story.
But it gets even more complicated, mostly because the author says so. Blake came from a bad home (dad smashing booze bottles for unexplained reasons, big sister in jail for unexplained reasons... mostly because the author says so), so Blake leaves home for college in the city, far from his dysfunctional family. Okay, but then there's a weird fight mid-college in which the dad kicks Blake out (?! He's AWAY LIVING AT COLLEGE, HELLO!!) and Blake freaks out and goes to Charlie, and begs her to come away with him.
Charlie says no, because 1) she's living at home with the feels for her family/community, 2) she's going to the local CC to... become nothing full-time, and 3) he's IN COLLEGE and it's not time for that, yet... and then she's devastated when he leaves. Not just goes to back to college, but we're talking no texts, letters, phone number changed, FREAKIN' NAME CHANGED...
... drastic, much?
Anyhow, turns out his jail-bunny sister got knocked up in the clink (!?) and had a baby 13 years ago. And NOW he's just found out that he's an uncle. Except we don't know why it should come up to him now - his sister isn't dead, daddy isn't dead... the author just SAYS so, so... *voila!* Unknown niece announced for book purposes.
Of course the niece is not just anywhere, the niece OBVIOUSLY would be placed in Tulip House under Charlie, her CASA worker... his old flame in his old tiny small town. Because... divine fate?
Also HIGHLY contrived, the big-box coffee shop he works for wants to open a branch in the tiny village of Tulip Mound, and sends him there to look into a property that (.............wait for it...........) is the very property the dog shelter is currently renting. (((sigh.)))
So he's in town to 1) close Charlie's pet project, 2) close his niece's pet project, 3) meet and convince his niece he wants to adopt her, 4) return to church-going (because the guy got *NO* living faith... and STILL has no living faith, not even AFTER the return to church-going), and 5) to fall in love with Charlie all over and have the happily ever after we all know is coming, we just don't know what imaginary local job the author will pull out of her hiney for him to fall into.
It gets WORSE THAN THAT, too, if you can believe it. Because the author has made Blake allergic to dogs. And not only does Charlie have a dog, but Tori has a dog that's her favorite(est) in the entire, whole, expansive, total universe, and BOTH of them are always at the shelter or at a shelter fundraiser of some sort or other, so Blake spends nearly the ENTIRE book red-eyed, sneezing, congested, and miserable whilst trying to NOT come off as inept, villainous, insincere or hiding anything. ((wink, wink.))
Also as an aside, Charlie's dog Cooper is mostly peripheral - she either leaves him in a crate somewhere or is ignoring the hell out of him the majority of the time. She's... hardly a puppy mama in this book. Which doesn't jive with the fact that she's baking doggie treats and raising doggie funds and ALL THINGS DAWG for every pooch in christendom BUT Cooper.
Oh, yeah, this is a GRRRRRReat read!
And of course Blake complicates everything by NOT telling Charlie why he's in town, NOT telling Tori he's her family, NOT explaining why his company feels a small town with a breakfast cafe, a bakery, AND a doughnut shop needs an additional coffee shop (← I can't figure this out, either). And Charlie makes a mess by NOT telling the girls about the failing shelter and NOT telling the girls about villainous Blake and NOT telling Blake she's still hurt that he left/changed name/cancelled phone/cut her off... So there's all sorts of hidden agendas that lead to D.R.A.M.A fabricated to add pages to the book.
So it's 'why is he coming around' and 'why can't you guys get back together' and 'why are you destroying our doggie shelter' and 'why is this called Love, Inspired when it's not all that inspirational and there's NOTHING romantic about a nose snotting, tears streaming, overly- secretive hero' for most of the book.
By the way, HOW IN HADES does her phone accidentally fall INTO his car without her noticing? That's... a long way for a phone to jump, considering she never so much as stuck a hand in the window. She was also standing hands on hips moments before, and then high-fiving teens as he's sitting in said car... NO. CELLPHONE. EVEN. OUT. for her to drop *IN* his car. Author taking liberties, much?
I also don't understand the whole CASA thing - how can a volunteer be held to a legal commitment? The very word 'volunteer' indicates that it's at the discretion of the person donating their time/efforts.
The timelining for this thing is a hot mess, too. On pg 180, Blake & Charlie agree in the morning to tell Tori about his being her family 'at the café that afternoon for a snack'. We cut away to another scene, sometime later in the afternoon when the teens playing UNO and crunching candy canes, and then Charlie & Mom have this whole 'open his last gift all those years ago' thing... then Rachel comes over and there's the 'we can't save the shelter' thing, which turns into a major sit-down with the teens over the failing shelter and buying of the property... So much for 'at the café that afternoon for a snack'! ARGH!!
And the solution at the end is a giant eyeroll - "Let's COMBINE the big box coffee shop with the dog shelter! Because dogs and coffee go SO WELL together, dontchaknow?! And because it's a *new* venture, we'll renovate the WHOLE SHELTER and give a new office to Rachel while offering DOG themed/named drinks, at no cost to the privately funded shelter...
...said no big box, big city CEO, ever.
And naturally, Blake gets to manage the combined properties. Because lollipop world ending, right?
Ooh, oooh, but *WAIT!!!* It can't end without any WOKENESS in it, because this isn't just 'Love, Inspired', it's Love, Inspired circa 2022! So there has to be a *gender reveal* at the end!! I. Am. NOT. Kidding. You. Except that we all knew thirteen-year old Tori was a girl from moment one. THAT'S SUCH A RIDICULOUS way to tell your uncle you're over your diva self and ready to be adopted now, hello. (((!!!!!!!!))) I wanted to throw the book at a wall.
NOT. OKAY.
So while it could've been a cute storyline,
it was over-encumbered and badly written, alas.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2022
This was such a good book and a wonderful story. This story revolved around a woman named Charlie Bussey. Charlie is a CASA volunteer at a foster home for girls called Tulip House. She also works at a animal shelter named Paradise Paws 🐾. Charlie also loves to bake treats for people and animals.
The girls at the foster home were a wonderful part of this story along with the dogs. Her former best friend Blake Bryant returns on business to shut down the animal shelter that Charlie loves. One of the girls at the foster home turns out to be his niece. Charlie is also the CASA advocate for the niece Blake didn’t know about.
Charlie is hurt about the fact that he left years ago when they were best friends. Blake returns and he meets Charlie once again and all of the feelings return to the surface. The girls were cute trying to play matchmaker for Blake and Charlie. This book had spice 🌶🌶🌶. There was a bit much of religion talk brought up in the story that seemed a bit much for me. However I loved the people in this book. I enjoyed reading this.
The girls at the foster home were a wonderful part of this story along with the dogs. Her former best friend Blake Bryant returns on business to shut down the animal shelter that Charlie loves. One of the girls at the foster home turns out to be his niece. Charlie is also the CASA advocate for the niece Blake didn’t know about.
Charlie is hurt about the fact that he left years ago when they were best friends. Blake returns and he meets Charlie once again and all of the feelings return to the surface. The girls were cute trying to play matchmaker for Blake and Charlie. This book had spice 🌶🌶🌶. There was a bit much of religion talk brought up in the story that seemed a bit much for me. However I loved the people in this book. I enjoyed reading this.
October 31, 2022
This Christmas story has everything to pull on your heart. Rescue puppies, a group of teenage girls in need of a good home, snow, Christmas cookies and hero and heroine with strong opinions about everything. When Charlie Bussey is passionate about something, she will fight until the bitter end. She finds her favorite charity in danger of losing their local animal shelter, and she vows to fight to keep it. She is surprised to learn that her opponent in this fight is her childhood former best friend, Blake Bryant. Blake is in town to find a location for his company's newest coffee shop location, but he is also there to meet his niece. A niece he never knew existed until he was contacted recently by Child Services. The sparks fly in this story. The characters of Charlie and Blake are easy to get to know through this story, and their past has made them into the people they are today. This story shows that we should never assume we know someone's story or their situation. The inspirational message is heartfelt. Dog lovers will fall in love with the rescue dogs, and you will find yourself rooting for them and their cause. It is a good early Christmas read to put you in the spirit of Christmas and giving to others.
July 1, 2023
Second Chance Christmas was my first time reading a Betsy St. Amant book, but it will definitely not be my last!
Charlie Bussey’s time is spent with her pop up bakery business, as well as volunteering at the local no-kill animal shelter. She’s also a volunteer foster child advocate, something close to her heart as one formerly in the foster system herself. She’s got a heart as big as the world. Sometimes she’s also got a temper as fiery as her red hair.
It’s been eight long years since Blake Bryant has been in Tulip Mound, Kansas. His reasons are two-fold and intertwined…firm up a property deal for his boss, and meet the niece he just learned he had weeks before. If he’s to take custody of his niece, he needs this property deal to keep his job.
But this deal means potentially putting a valued business, well, out of business, as well as butting heads with Charlie. They were the best of friends before she rejected him and he left. Of course, she has believed he abandoned her those years ago. Can the Lord crumble those walls they’ve each built around their hearts?
I was engrossed and found out in one sitting. You will be, too! Plus there’s my favorite…an epilogue!
Charlie Bussey’s time is spent with her pop up bakery business, as well as volunteering at the local no-kill animal shelter. She’s also a volunteer foster child advocate, something close to her heart as one formerly in the foster system herself. She’s got a heart as big as the world. Sometimes she’s also got a temper as fiery as her red hair.
It’s been eight long years since Blake Bryant has been in Tulip Mound, Kansas. His reasons are two-fold and intertwined…firm up a property deal for his boss, and meet the niece he just learned he had weeks before. If he’s to take custody of his niece, he needs this property deal to keep his job.
But this deal means potentially putting a valued business, well, out of business, as well as butting heads with Charlie. They were the best of friends before she rejected him and he left. Of course, she has believed he abandoned her those years ago. Can the Lord crumble those walls they’ve each built around their hearts?
I was engrossed and found out in one sitting. You will be, too! Plus there’s my favorite…an epilogue!
July 26, 2023
Charlie's best friend Blake has come back to town and Charlie is still upset at him for leaving her almost a decade ago.
Now with Blake back in town, he is trying to seal a deal that Charlie opposes. It is a great story and I love Charlie but felt sorry for Blake. I also enjoyed the teenagers in the story. Check out the story I think you will enjoy it too.
Now with Blake back in town, he is trying to seal a deal that Charlie opposes. It is a great story and I love Charlie but felt sorry for Blake. I also enjoyed the teenagers in the story. Check out the story I think you will enjoy it too.
May 6, 2023
What a blessing reading this book, thank you Betsy, for giving me a chance to read it! It was truly a treat (dog treat 🐾)
April 20, 2025
Blake's character and his trust issues were relatable and realistic.
November 29, 2024
Sweet Christmas read. A bit lighter than I like, but still enjoyable.
April 23, 2025
Exceptional ❤️
November 20, 2024
Baker owner Charlie Bussey loves dogs and a portion of her baked goods cater to pets. She often donates cookies to the local animal shelter that is struggling to stay afloat.
Blake Bryant has returned to his hometown after several years of absence for two reasons—to purchase a shop to expand his boss’s coffee shops and to adopt the niece whom he’s just learned about. And maybe to see if Charlie, his former best friend who had rejected his heart, could return his love.
Charlie was devastated when Blake left nine years before. She’s filled the empty years by starting a bakery and becoming a child advocate for foster children. When she learns that Blake’s company wants the animal shelter’s building, she is determined to fight to save it.
The characters were likeable. The plight of the foster children enhanced the story for me, but the heroine’s continued anger toward the hero bothered me. Fundraisers and Christmas events kept the story rooted in the holiday season, which I enjoyed.
I love happy endings and this was a nice story set at Christmas.
Blake Bryant has returned to his hometown after several years of absence for two reasons—to purchase a shop to expand his boss’s coffee shops and to adopt the niece whom he’s just learned about. And maybe to see if Charlie, his former best friend who had rejected his heart, could return his love.
Charlie was devastated when Blake left nine years before. She’s filled the empty years by starting a bakery and becoming a child advocate for foster children. When she learns that Blake’s company wants the animal shelter’s building, she is determined to fight to save it.
The characters were likeable. The plight of the foster children enhanced the story for me, but the heroine’s continued anger toward the hero bothered me. Fundraisers and Christmas events kept the story rooted in the holiday season, which I enjoyed.
I love happy endings and this was a nice story set at Christmas.
November 12, 2022
This was an adorable tale of second-chance love (clearly) with lots of heart and Christmas cheer. It'll make you want to snuggle your sweetheart and your pup, or make you want to go adopt one! I've read lots of Betsy St. Amant, but this was my first Love Inspired read. Her stories always have depth beyond just the will-they-won't-they of the love story. With only a couple chaste kisses, the content would be appropriate for a teenager to read.
November 13, 2022
I really enjoyed this clean, second chance romance. I bought this at a local store and I voluntarily chose to review this book. I gave this a 5* rating. While the hero seems a bit wishy-washy, his real problem is being able to express what he wants to say. He gets it together at the end and shows her what he has been wanting to say. He answers a lot of things and it's exciting to see it unfold. Sometimes we need a little more patience to listening to our love ones.
November 14, 2022
Loved this book! Charlie and Blake were wonderful and of course I was thrilled when they both fought past their difficulties and emerged stronger together. But then you add the adorable Tori and her dog Waffles and the rest of the kids just needing love and it had the makings of the best kind of feel good Christmas book!
January 5, 2023
Another lovely read by Betsy St. Amant. This sweet romance has adorable, believable characters, some unexpected twists and turns and incorporates an important peek into the foster care system. The fact that both main characters turn to their faith for strength and decision making, but are still flawed, imperfect human beings is a plus. Add it to your read pile!
January 7, 2023
What a sweet read! Blake and Charlie were best friends. A big misunderstanding leads them to an 8 yr separation. Now Blake is back in Tulip Mound, Kansas,not just to purchase some ground, but to find his niece that he has just learned about. Charlie happens to be the CASA volunteer for his niece. Can Blake and Charlie get over their hurt and become “friends” again?
November 2, 2022
If you love a good Hallmark movie, you will adore this delightful and festive read. A great reminder of all the ways we can serve in our own communities, not just this Christmas season, but all year long.
December 20, 2022
Loved this one!! Cute dogs, a heartwarming foster family, and a lovable reunion between two characters who butt heads. While Blake and Charlie clash over the dog shelter, there's a satisfying ending that will warm you despite the chilly setting. Loved seeing the town of Tulip Mound as well <3
October 25, 2022
A sweet second chance story. I loved the dogs and the teen girls. The conflict between the hero and heroine kept me reading.
December 21, 2022
A sweet story. I like when the characters have a history so the story moves at a believable pace.
May 26, 2023
I'm a sucker for Christmas stories and this one didn't disappoint at all.
Great characters will make you love the story. And if you enjoy children and animals then this is definitely for you!
Great characters will make you love the story. And if you enjoy children and animals then this is definitely for you!
December 20, 2022
Really enjoyed this cute, sweet read! I loved the faith elements and how natural they flowed. The characters were great and the story, I love a second chance!! Fantastic Christmas read!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews