Mini Reviews: Second Chance Holiday Romances

There are so many great romances centered around second chances—who doesn’t love a good second chance romance, especially during the holiday season? Bonus points if the setting is fantastic—whether it’s a snowy small town, a cozy cabin, or a bustling city all lit up for the festivities, the right backdrop adds an extra layer of charm and magic to the story.

 

The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah by Jean Meltzer

Pages: 368

Publisher: Mira

Pub. Date: October 21, 2025

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: The Matzah Ball 

and Kissing Kosher 

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "Evelyn Schwartz has the perfect Hanukkah planned: eight jam-packed days producing the live-action televised musical of A Christmas Carol. Who needs family when you’ve got long hours, impossible deadlines, and your dream job? That is, until an accident on set lands her in the medical bay with one of her chronic migraines, and she’s shocked to find her ex-husband, David Adler, filling in for the usual studio doctor.

It’s been two years since David walked away from Evelyn and their life in Manhattan, and his ex-wife is still the same workaholic who puts her career before everything else—especially her health. But when Evelyn begins hallucinating “ghosts” tied to her past heartbreaks, and every single one leads to David, he finds himself spending much more time with her than he anticipated. And denying the still-smoldering chemistry between them becomes impossible.

As Evelyn revisits her ghosts of Hanukkah past, she and David both begin to wonder if they can have a Hanukkah future. But with a high-stakes production ramping up the pressure on Evelyn, and troublesome spirits forcing them both to confront their most difficult shared memories, it might just take a Hanukkah miracle for these two exes to light the flame on their second-chance at love.

 

Evelyn Schwartz is in charge of producing a live-action musical of the classic A Christmas Carol. This job has been taking up every minute of her life. All was going well until she hit her head in an accident on set. She finds that the doctor on call is none other than her ex-husband, David. This isn't good - well, it is her ex! - but it is awful as he left her two years ago and they are not on good terms. David is filling in for the regular doctor, and as soon as he sees Evelyn, he remembers why he left her; she is a workaholic putting work before everything. Evelyn not only suffers from chronic migraines, but this probable concussion has got her seeing "ghosts." These ghosts are tied to lessons of her past, and all of them are pointing to David. The more they hang out together, the more she realizes that there's still chemistry between them, and they both can't stop thinking of the life they could have had together. The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah by Jean Meltzer is a fun contemporary of A Christmas Carol filled with second-chance romance and Hanukkah touches.
 
I always appreciate Meltzer's novels as they highlight a protagonist dealing with a chronic illness; she truly shows how all-consuming it can be, and I don't find that topic very often in literature. While I didn't feel connected to Evelyn and David like I normally do with Meltzer's novels, The Matzah Ball was my favorite, I still appreciate their journey back to one another. Also, The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah had a lot more trauma in it than I anticipated; there's grief, death of a child, abortion, and more. This initially turned me off, but once I read to the author's note at the end of the novel, I was touched by it, and it all made sense.  

 

 

 

Yours for the Season by Emily Stone

Pages: 336

Pub. Date: October 7, 2025

Publisher: Dell

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: A Winter Wish

and Love, Holly 

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "Melanie has not had a good year. Things are definitely not going as planned in her work life, her best friend has moved to the other side of the world, and her favorite bagel shop is closing down. But the real reason this year has been awful is because Finn, the man who she was sure was the love of her life, dumped her. In front of everyone. At his sister’s engagement party.

So when Finn shows up at her doorstep two weeks before Christmas asking if she’ll help him, her first instinct is to slam the door in his face—or punch him. But he has a proposal for her.

Finn wants Melanie to spend the week of Christmas with him. He has to face the holiday at a vacation cottage in the Scottish Highlands with his two perfect siblings who are happily paired off with their perfect partners. His mother is obsessed with the idea of a perfect Christmas—and to try and help, Finn may have told his mother he and Mel are dating again. All she has to do is come with him and pretend they’re back together.

Melanie may hate Finn, but she loves his mom. And with her own parents on a trip, it looks like the only way to spend the holiday with someone she cares about is to suffer through being around the person she despises most.

So Melanie agrees—on one condition. At the end of the week, Finn will allow Mel to publicly dump him—in front of his family—so she can get her dignity back and he can experience the same humiliation she felt.

As they embark on seven days with Finn's family, Mel tells herself it's only a week. She just has to pretend to still be in love with him. Until she starts to lose track of which feelings are fake, and which are for real...

 

 

Mel is trying to rebuild her life after Finn dumped her at his sister's engagement party in front of his entire family. This was heartbreaking, but she is finally moving on until he shows up at her door two weeks before Christmas. Finn has a proposition. He asks if she could help him out by coming with him to his family's holiday up in the Scottish Highlands. He may have told his mom they were back together as she adores Mel and he didn't want to break her heart. Would Mel help him out since she has no holiday plans? Mel reluctantly agrees to go as she really likes Finn's mom and sisters, but only under one condition! At the end of the trip, she gets to break up with Finn in front of his entire family. So, off they go! Mel is excited to see Finn's family, and she hopes that this trip will give her the closure she never received. Emily Stone's Yours for the Season is a cute holiday romance involving the fake dating trope, second chances, and includes a great setting in the Scottish Highlands.
 
While I didn't feel that Yours for the Season packed the same kind of emotional punch as Stone's previous novels, I still enjoyed this holiday romance. I appreciated the flashbacks to their relationship in the past, so readers can understand the characters on a deeper level, why they broke up, and how their love evolved. I did feel like the premise was a little weak (like who in their right mind would agree to this?), and the chemistry was lacking at times, but once readers can let that go, they will enjoy a second-chance romance with a memorable setting. Not my favorite of Stone's, but a decent holiday read. 

 

Do you plan to read either book this holiday season? Let me know in the comments below.  

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Into the Thicket

Longtime readers of the blog are well aware of my deep appreciation for picture books that convey heartfelt themes and demonstrate compassion. One recent addition that truly captures this essence is Into the Thicket by Gail Kuhnlein. This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a young boy who discovers an injured rabbit, and it is inspired by a real-life event. 

What makes this book even more special is that a portion of its proceeds goes directly to wildlife rehabilitation and conservation efforts. This story is sure to resonate with readers of all ages and inspire a greater understanding of compassion for wildlife.

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

Into the Thicket

Written by Gail Kuhnlein

Illustrated by John Megahan

Ages: 4-7 | 60 Pages

Publisher: BookBaby (2025) | ISBN: 979-8990747807

 

Publisher’s Book Summary: "Inspired by a true story, Into the Thicket begins with the moment the author’s young son discovered an injured baby rabbit — an encounter that sparked a heartfelt journey of care and connection.

This tender picture book follows a boy and the rabbit he hopes to help, gently exploring themes of compassion, courage, love, and the bittersweet beauty of letting go. It invites young readers to develop empathy and a deeper appreciation for the natural world, showing how even the smallest acts of kindness can ripple through a great, big world.

Featuring stunning watercolor illustrations by acclaimed Ann Arbor artist John Megahan, Into the Thicket is a story families will return to again and again. A portion of all proceeds benefits wildlife rehabilitation and conservation."

 

To purchase your own copy of Into the Thicket, visit Bookshop, Barnes & Noble, BookBaby, and Amazon. To learn more about the author, Gail Kuhnlein, visit her website and connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and YouTube.

 

The Giveaway:

I've partnered with Gail Kuhnlein to host a giveaway for Into the Thicket. Enter for the chance to win one of three signed hardcover copies, each accompanied by a set of custom stickers featuring illustrations from the book. One grand prize winner will receive a signed hardcover of Into the Thicket with an adorable rabbit companion stuffie and a set of custom stickers, plus a signed paperback of How Happy Is a Lark? along with a singing lark stuffie. Good luck!

  Into the Thicket: Book Giveaway  

 

 

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Dash and the Lights in the Sky

 

This morning, I woke up to a chilly 10 degrees here in Pennsylvania. While it isn't the Arctic, it sure felt like it! However, my part-Husky pup, Kira, wasn’t bothered by the cold at all. When I heard about a new picture book featuring the beauty of winter, a husky, and the spectacular northern lights, I knew I had to check it out. I'm excited to share with you all today Dash and the Lights in the Sky by Ashley Key. This new picture book is perfect for sharing with the little ones in your life as winter approaches, and it includes all the STEM learning elements that spark curiosity.

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

Dash and the Lights in the Sky

Written and illustrated by Ashley Key

Ages: 0-8 | 50 Pages (hardcover and softcover) 25 Pages (board book)

Publisher:  Adventure Press (2025) | ISBN: 979-8993318646

 

Publisher’s Book Summary: "Dash and the Lights in the Sky is a poetic children’s book that combines storytelling, science, and Arctic wonder. One wintry night, Dash the husky looks up at a strange glow dancing across the sky. With the help of Echo the wise owl and Nimbus the playful Arctic fox, he discovers the science of the aurora borealis-the northern lights. This lyrical narrative blends advanced vocabulary with a sing-song rhythm, inviting children to explore concepts such as atmosphere, particles, and magnetism in an accessible way. Designed for ages 0-8, the book encourages curiosity and sparks early STEM learning while preserving the magic of a bedtime story.

The watercolor-inspired illustrations create a dreamy, Arctic setting, while the built-in Parents’ Reading Guide provides vocabulary support, discussion prompts, and NGSS-aligned extension activities. Ideal for classrooms, homeschool lessons, or cozy family reading, Dash and the Lights in the Sky helps children connect wonder with science-and shows that even the sky holds secrets waiting to be discovered."

You can purchase your own copy of Dash and the Lights in the Sky at Bookshop, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon. You can learn more about Ashley Key by visiting her website.

 

The Giveaway:

I've partnered with Ashley Key to host a fantastic giveaway. Enter for the chance to win one of seven signed copies of Dash and the Lights in the Sky: two hardcover editions and five board books. One grand prize winner will also receive a beautifully curated craft box paired with a signed hardcover copy of the book. Good luck!  

Dash and the Lights in the Sky: Book Giveaway

 

 

 

 

Audio Book Review: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Genre: Adult Fiction/Audiobook

Pub. Date: April 29, 2025

Publisher: Penguin Random House

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "Throughout her life Sybil Van Antwerp has used letters to make sense of the world and her place in it. Most mornings around half past ten Sybil sits down to write letters—to her brother, to her best friend, to the president of the university who will not allow her to audit a class she desperately wants to take, to Joan Didion and Larry McMurtry to tell them what she thinks of their latest books, and to one person to whom she writes often yet never sends the letter.

Sybil expects her world to go on as it always has. A mother, grandmother, wife, divorcée, distinguished lawyer, she has lived a full life. But when letters from someone in her past force her to examine one of the most painful periods of her life, she realizes the letter she has been writing over the years needs to be read and that she cannot move forward until she finds it in her heart to offer forgiveness."

 

 

 

 

 

Sybil Van Antwerp has lived a carefully constructed life at first glance. She worked in law for years and lived a fulfilling life with her kids, although she is divorced. However, she gardens, possesses wonderful manners, and, more importantly, has spent her life writing meaningful handwritten letters to friends, work associates, family, and many others. The Correspondent is an epistolary novel, and as readers are privy to her letters, we learn more about Sybil, her relationships, and what makes her tick. The more we know about her, the more readers recognize that her life wasn't as perfect as it may look at first glance, as she was adopted, dealt with a lot of grief and heartbreak, and to this day, has made decisions that haunt her. Virginia Evans's debut novel, The Correspondent, is a fantastic audiobook and certainly one of the best of the year; this book is smart, moving, and surprisingly immersive. 
 
Sybil writes letters to communicate with family and friends, but also to process things herself. Readers are privy to her letters to and from her close friends, her brother, her sister-in-law, and even her literary heroes, such as Larry McMurtry. As mentioned, through these letters, readers learn more about Sybil's past as well as the way she operates. She can be a bit brash, stubborn, and point-blank, but half the time she makes very astute observations. Her life is forever changed when she receives a gift to trace her DNA origins and connect with her possible relatives. This is huge, as she is adopted and has always questioned her parentage, as all she was left with was a letter that her adopted mother shared with her. There's also a person that Sybil is writing to that she never sends the letters to, and slowly, readers piece together this part of the puzzle. 
 
An epistolary novel is hard to pull off, especially one that is absorbing; these days, we don't have time for lengthy letters. It almost seems like an archaic treasure from the past, but I really loved being lost in Sybil's words through her letters. To add to this delight was the superb narration of Maggi-Meg Reed. There was a full cast narration of the audiobook, which truly brought it to life, but the star of the show was Reed; a tremendous job! If you are looking for a thoughtful, absorbing audiobook to close out the year, I urge you to pick up The Correspondent .  

 

Mini Reviews: Holiday Edition

 

Whether you are in the mood for a magical romance that blends the supernatural with holiday cheer, or you'd rather lose yourself in a heartwarming family drama filled with laughter and emotion, these two novels have something for everyone.

 

Good Spirits by B.K. Borison

Pages: 384

Pub. Date: October 21, 2025

Publisher: HarperCollins

Source: Personal Copy

Other Books By Author: Lovelight Farms

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "Ghost of Christmas Past Nolan Callahan intends to spend this holiday haunting like every other—get in, get out, return to his otherwise aimless existence as a ghost awaiting the afterlife. But when he’s faced with Harriet York, the sweetest assignment he’s ever had, he suddenly finds himself wishing for a future.

Harriet York has no idea why she’s being haunted. She’s a good person—or, at least, she tries to be. A people pleaser to her core, she always does what’s expected of her. But as she and Nolan begin to examine her past, they discover there are threads that bind them together— and realize there might be more to moving on than expected.

With the deadline of Christmas Eve fast approaching, will they find the key to their futures in each other’s pasts? Or will they stay firmly in the present, indulging in their unexpected, spirited connection?"

 

 

Nolan Callahan is the Ghost of Christmas Past. He just wants to partake in his usual haunting this year and move on quickly. He is waiting for the next step, which he hopes is a peaceful afterlife. But when he gets his next assignment, Harriet York, he is confused. She isn't your usual Scrooge-type. She is a pretty good person, and the mistakes she has made in her life are run-of-the-mill. The more time Nolan and Harriet spend together, the more they understand her past and how he is connected to her. Of course, sparks fly between these two, but how could something substantial come from a relationship with a ghost? B.K. Borison's latest novel, Good Spirits, is a charming romance with lots of holiday touches and a lot of steamy moments; fans of her romances will not be disappointed.
 
I am a huge fan of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, so I like this modern spin on the classic and imagining what it would be like if the Ghost of Christmas Past were charming and good-looking. Once I got past the paranormal romance aspect of the novel, and admittedly, it did take me a while, I started to enjoy it a bit more. If that isn't your thing or something you will easily accept, be forewarned. However, you can always count on Borison to give you a feel-good holiday romance, and fans of her romances know there will be some steamy scenes, too. Overall, Good Spirits is a delightful holiday read!

 

 

 

A Merry Little Lie by Sarah Morgan

Pages: 368

Pub. Date: October 7, 2025

Publisher: Harlequin

Source: Personal Copy

Other Books By Author: Snowed in for Christmas,

and First Time in Forever

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "This Christmas, the Balfour family will have more secrets to unwrap than presents… Becky is stranded at the airport, so when she bumps into her brother’s best friend, Will, and he suggests they drive home together, Becky reluctantly agrees. For the first time, Becky is dreading Christmas, and only Will knows why. Can she trust him to keep her secret?

Her twin sister, Rosie, married Declan after a whirlwind romance, and now the cracks are starting to appear. Rosie and Declan have agreed to hide their problems from her family, but Rosie’s insecurities are growing. Will this Christmas bring them closer or drive them apart?

Hayley can’t wait for her first Balfour family Christmas with Jamie. The Balfour Christmas traditions sound wonderful, but she’s worried about her place in this close-knit family. Will there be room for her too? And how will they react to the secret she and Jamie have been keeping?

Despite everyone’s best intentions, all the chaos and confusion could derail their normally happy holidays. Can they tell each other the truth in time to enjoy a perfect family Christmas?

 

Becky is on her way home to a traditional family Christmas, but plans are thwarted when she is stuck at the airport. Thankfully, she runs into Will, her brother's best friend, and they agree to drive home together. This pleases both families as they have always imagined Will and Becky would end up together. However, Becky is hiding a secret as to why she is dreading this family Christmas more than any other year. Then there's her twin sister, Rosie. She is newly married to Declan, and it was a whirlwind romance and quick marriage. But maybe things aren't so great between them? Going home for the holidays will make this complicated for the two as they work through their issues. Lastly, the older brother, Jamie, is heading home, too, along with his girlfriend, Hayley. Hayley is excited for a family holiday, as it is very different than the holidays she grew up with, so this will be an adjustment. She can't help but worry if they won't like her and how she will deal with such a boisterous family. On top of it, each sibling is holding onto a secret this holiday season, which complicates matters further. Sarah Morgan's A Merry Little Lie is a delightful family drama about a family with complicated relationships coming home together to celebrate and finally be honest with themselves, and one another.
 
I can always rely on Morgan's holiday novels to portray a complex family that you can't help but cheer for. Her representations of family dynamics are spot on and often hilarious, as she includes extended family members like grandparents in A Merry Little Lie. At times, it reminded me of The Family Stone, and I eagerly anticipated how each family member would confront their personal struggles. My only issue with this novel is the number of points of view; there were many, with each chapter switching to a different character, which became overwhelming. Nonetheless, it's a charming holiday novel for fans of who enjoy family-centered stories. This one is certainly filled to the brim with drama!

 

Are you a fan of B.K. Borison or Sarah Morgan? Have you read either novel? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.