Corporate attorney Rory Sheffield and sports agent Mack McAllister dated for two years during law school but went their separate ways after graduation. Rory took a job in Boston, while Mack moved to Los Angeles. Ten years later, they're both living in Los Angeles when Rory learns that her old flame has taken on a side hustle as a mall Santa. Determined to solve the mystery of why Mack would do such a thing when it seems so unlike the man she used to know, she tracks him down and accidentally causes a scene while waiting in line to sit on Santa's lap. Fortunately, Mack recognizes her immediately and is happy to reconnect. It's not long before their old feelings reignite, but just as it always has, career comes first for workaholic Rory. Can a little holiday magic help her and Mack overcome their differences and make their relationship work this time around?
Mack and Rory were such a great couple! They had both grown and changed in the years they were apart, but the chemistry between them was as strong as ever, and I loved the way they bantered and teased each other. Their relationship in law school was mostly based on crazy antics and an intense physical connection, but when they met again ten years later, their emotional connection grew quickly. The exact circumstances weren't the same, but they were both dealing with difficult family situations, which seemed to create a bond between them that wasn't there before.
Given the setup, this story easily could have become silly or turned into a slapstick comedy, but instead, it was truly fun and lighthearted with just the right balance of steam and emotion. I loved "Second Chance Santa" and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance, holiday romance, and romantic comedy. I look forward to whatever the author writes next!
*Review copy provided by the author/publisher via Enticing Journey Book Promotions. All opinions expressed are my own.
About "Second Chance Santa"
What has happened to Mack McAllister?
We were law school rivals.
Absolutely insane in bed.
Our two-year fling ended when we graduated.
He had his ambitions. I had mine.
We were going to slay the competition.
Now he’s sleighing it?
When I stalk him at Riverside Mall, he looks like Santa in every way. White beard. Rosy cheeks. Kid on his knee.
But I know better. That bowl full of jelly is hiding ripped abs.
I’ve been inside that suit.
Something’s happened to the Mack I knew ten years ago.
I don’t know how he feels about me now, but there’s only one way to find out.
Get in there and jingle those bells.
Second Chance Santa is a holiday romantic comedy about the one who got away, the perils of resting Grinch face, and all the delicious ways to unwrap a candy cane.
Read an Excerpt from "Second Chance Santa"
Rory’s tone is tough as she says, “It’s been a long time since I saw you last.” She pokes my belly pillow. “You’ve gone soft.”
“Maybe I’ve had a lot of milk and cookies lately.”
She shakes her head. “I never thought I’d see you like this.”
“Like what?”
“You were the best of the best! What happened?”
“You act like being Santa is the worst thing that I could do.”
She hesitates. My mind floods with images of her from a decade ago. Tousled hair in the morning. Sleeping in my bed. I’m not sure I ever got over her. “Are you in town long?” I ask.
“I live here.”
I control my expression. Rory’s back in L.A. and I didn’t even know. I used to know everything about her, including the exact spot that made her scream. I swear it’s the memories talking when I hear my own treacherous voice say, “Meet me this weekend.”
Rory’s about to answer when a sharp-eared kid yells, “What about Mrs. Claus?”
I don’t even hesitate. “She wants to see my North Pole,” I call out, enjoying the snort-laugh I get out of Rory.
The kids chorus, “Show her! Show her!”
Rory is losing it. She keeps trying to straighten her expression, but she can’t hold it. “You’re terrible,” she squeaks out.
“Same as I always was.” I lean close to her ear. “By the way, there is no Mrs. Claus.”
“Maybe I’ve had a lot of milk and cookies lately.”
She shakes her head. “I never thought I’d see you like this.”
“Like what?”
“You were the best of the best! What happened?”
“You act like being Santa is the worst thing that I could do.”
She hesitates. My mind floods with images of her from a decade ago. Tousled hair in the morning. Sleeping in my bed. I’m not sure I ever got over her. “Are you in town long?” I ask.
“I live here.”
I control my expression. Rory’s back in L.A. and I didn’t even know. I used to know everything about her, including the exact spot that made her scream. I swear it’s the memories talking when I hear my own treacherous voice say, “Meet me this weekend.”
Rory’s about to answer when a sharp-eared kid yells, “What about Mrs. Claus?”
I don’t even hesitate. “She wants to see my North Pole,” I call out, enjoying the snort-laugh I get out of Rory.
The kids chorus, “Show her! Show her!”
Rory is losing it. She keeps trying to straighten her expression, but she can’t hold it. “You’re terrible,” she squeaks out.
“Same as I always was.” I lean close to her ear. “By the way, there is no Mrs. Claus.”
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